Bobcats best Mavericks for second consecutive sweep

The Bobcats haven’t trailed in a set for the past two matches. 

Texas State (12-7, 4-1 Sun Belt) picked up its second consecutive sweep on Tuesday, defeating UT Arlington (10-7, 2-3) on the road, 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-10), without giving up a lead.

“I am extremely proud of this team tonight,” head coach Karen Chisum said in a statement. “We were solid all the way around in every single position.”

The visitors jumped out to a quick 6-4 advantage, then extended it with an 8-1 run that included four kills by senior outside hitter Cheyenne Huskey. The Bobcats pushed the lead to 24-11, but the Mavericks held the team at set point for the next three plays. A kill from sophomore setter Emily DeWalt to junior middle blocker Tyeranee Scott ended the frame, though, 25-14.

Texas State dealt with a little bit more trouble in the next set. After falling behind 11-7, UTA used a 4-0 run to tie the game back up. The visitors got the ball back on the next possession and DeWalt went on a 6-0 serving run to stay in front, 18-11. The hosts nearly came back, going on a 5-0 streak late in the frame, but the maroon and gold held them off to take it, 25-21.

The final set proved to be the Bobcats’ most dominant. The team opened with 12 unanswered points, most of them coming from errors by the Mavericks. Texas State coasted the rest of the way to a 25-10 win to secure the sweep.

Huskey led the team with 12 kills, followed by sophomore outside hitter Janell Fitzgerald. DeWalt dished out 26 assists and rejected five shots, trailing only Scott, who had six blocks. Senior setter/defensive specialist Rylie Fuentes posted a team-best eight digs.

Texas State will return to Strahan Arena on Friday to host Georgia State (5-10, 1-3) at 6:30 p.m.