College Volleyball: Despite slow start, Bobcat spikers reach their goal

Sports

November 24, 2009

By Tyler Mayforth The San Marcos Record Tue Nov 24, 2009, 11:05 AM CST

San Marcos — There was no way to predict Texas State winning the 2009 Southland Conference volleyball championship.

Even the most optimistic of die-hard fans were left scratching their heads during the first half of the season.

The Bobcats were 9-12 as of Oct. 14 and didn’t even look like a volleyball team. Veteran players who were supposed to step up and lead Texas State weren’t doing their jobs.

Senior setter Brittany Collins lacked any fire when she stepped on the court and the Bobcats’ middle blockers (Amber Calhoun and Melinda Cave) were non-existent.

Texas State head coach Karen Chisum was forced to mix and match the lineups in an attempt to spark the team.

“We were just so slow at the beginning because we had kids playing out of position,” Chisum said. “We were just so disappointed with how we came into the season, but as the season went on, our two middles developed and we got to put them back into the right position.”

Cave and Calhoun’s resurgence spurred the Bobcats in the second half of the season.

Texas State evened its record at 12-12 with a sweep of Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 24. Cave and Calhoun combined for 12 kills and 13 digs to pace the Bobcats.

Calhoun stepped up even further against Lamar in a 3-2 win by Texas State. She posted seven kills, four assists and two solo blocks.

Cave wouldn’t be outdone, as she tallied three kills and eight digs in a Bobcat sweep of Sam Houston State. She also added three block assists in the win.

Texas State recorded its eight consecutive win after sweeping the Bearkats and continued its torrid pace. The Bobcats won the rest of their matches in the regular season and stormed through the SLC tournament as the No. 1 seed.

“By what, a month and a half ago, we were playing in the positions we were hoping to be playing in August,” Chisum said. “So, this is honestly one of those years where you saw us improve, improve and improve all season long.”

If the trend continues, Texas State could pull a shocker in the first round of the NCAA volleyball playoffs.

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