Bobcats hold their own in loss to No. 16 Kentucky

No. 16 Kentucky was caught off guard during its 3-1 win over the Bobcats on Friday at Strahan Arena.

After staying even with Texas State through the first half of the opening frame, Kentucky suffered a 4-0 run from the Bobcats and fell behind, 17-13. 

The Wildcats never recovered. Texas State clung to its lead the rest of the set, despite the Wildcats coming back within two points twice, and took the first win of the match.

The Bobcats used the early momentum to build a 14-8 lead early in the second game. Kentucky eventually found its energy, though, and sparked an 11-3 run to tie things back up. Later, a 5-0 serving run from Wildcat senior libero McKenzie Watson pushed her team back out in front, 23-20.

Texas State kept fighting. An ace from sophomore setter Brooke Johnson and a kill from junior setter Cheyenne Huskey evened the score again at 24-24. Kentucky senior middle blocker Brooke Morgan picked up a point on the next play and then lost another after a service error. But the Wildcats scored on the next two plays, earning their first win at 27-25.

Though the Bobcats continued to grind through the final two sets, they couldn’t get the job done. Kentucky took the third set, 25-20, and the fourth, 25-21, securing the match. Johnson earned a double-double with 11 digs and 10 assists and Huskey finished the match with 14 kills.

Texas State (5-5) are now on a two-match losing streak after falling to consecutive ranked opponents. They’ll hope to turn things around on Tuesday when they travel to San Antonio for a rematch with UTSA at 7 p.m.

The Roadrunners will be looking for revenge after they fell to the Bobcats 3-1 on Aug. 31.