Bobcats knock off New Hampshire in opener at Jayhawk Invitational

Texas State opened up the Jayhawk Invitational in thrilling fashion as the Bobcats defeated the New Hampshire Wildcats in a five set thriller: 3-2 (3028, 25-23, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12).

The win improves the Bobcats record to 6-3 overall.

This first set was a competitive back and forth affair, as both teams traded the lead ending with Texas State ahead at 6-5.

But a 7-0 run by the Wildcats had the Bobcats stuck in a early hole at 126.

New Hampshire held on to the lead late in the first set and soon had Texas State down to set point at 24-22.

However, the Bobcats battled back as a 3-0 run now had Texas State at set point up 25-24 following a kill by graduate senior outside hitter K.J. Johnson.

After a more back and forth, the Wildcats now had the Bobcats to their breaking point up 28-27.

But New Hampshire couldn’t pull through as three straight errors commiteed by the Wildcats gave Texas State the set win at 30-28.

The second set was more of the same as both teams battled hard with the game tied at 5-5.

Texas State responded by going on a 5-1 run as the Bobcats now led 10-6.

New Hampshire refused to bow down and fought back to tie the second set up at 12-12.

Despite the Bobcats jumping out in front at 15-13, a 5-0 run by the Wildcats now had New Hampshire out in front out 18-15.

But a 5-2 run by Texas State now had the contest all tied up at 20-20.

The Bobcats outscored the Wildcats 5-3 as Texas State took the second set at 25-23.

New Hampshire, now needing a win to avoid the sweep, jumped out to an early at 11-5.

Despite the Bobcats best efforts, New Hampshire was able to fend off the Texas State comeback as the Wildcats took the third set at 25-20.

The fourth set as yet again another back and fair contest with both the Bobcats and the Wildcats trading the lead with each other.

Following fierce competition, Texas State found themselves on top at 1918.

But the Wildcats responded with a 5-0 run as New Hampshire was now in the lead at 23-19.

Yet again, Texas State refused to bow down as the Bobcats responded with a 4-1 run to cut the lead down to 24-23.

But the Bobcats were unable to complete the comeback as New Hampshire won the fourth set following a Texas State error to win 25-23 and forced a fifth set.

In the fifth set, New Hampshire jumped out to a 4-1 lead.

A 5-0 run by the Bobcats soon had Texas State back in front at 6-4.

The Wildcats responded with a 6-2 run as both clubs found themselves all tied at 12-12.

In the hour of need, Texas State slammed the door shut on any New Hampshire comeback using a 3-0 run to win both the fifth set and the match at 15-12.

Leading scorer for Texas State was Johnson who led the team in kills with a season high 28 kills.

Following Johnson, was sophomore Maggie Walsh who finished with 13 kills.

Freshman setter Carlee Pharis led the team in assists with 50 while junior defensive specialist Jacqueline Lee led the team in Digs with 21 followed by Alyssa Ortega with 17, Pharis with 12, and Johnson with 10 giving the Pearland native a double double.

Texas State will play both Bellarmine and Kansas before press release to close out the Jayhawk Invitational.

Both game recaps will be available online at sanmarcosrecord. com

coltonbmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc