Texas State keeps winning streak rolling with win over Little Rock

Texas State improved its current winning streak to seven matches after defeating Little Rock, 3-1 (25-22, 25-15, 28-30, 25-18), on Friday at Strahan Arena. 

The Bobcats (12-5, 3-0 Sun Belt) and Trojans (10-6, 2-1) battled back and forth in the opening set with seven ties and four lead changes. The Bobcats seized momentum after the frame was tied at 14-14. Texas State won the next two points and held onto the lead to secure the first set, 25-22. 

The Bobcats rode the momentum from the first into the second set. Texas State began the period on a 15-8 run. Texas State sailed to a 25-15 victory to take a 2-0 match advantage. 

But Little Rock fought back in the third set. In another tight affair that featured 22 ties and 11 lead changes, neither squad took a lead bigger than two points until the Trojans jumped out on top at 21-18. But Texas State battled back to grab a 23-22 advantage. Both teams traded match points with the Bobcats holding it at 24-23 and 27-26. Little Rock, however, escaped the third frame with a 30-28 win to extend the match. 

The fourth set was tight until the Bobcats broke through after the period was tied at 16-16. Texas State used a 4-0 run to grab control of the frame. The Bobcats ended the set on a 9-2 run to secure the win at 25-18 and the match at 3-1. 

“We had to work (Friday night),” head coach Karen Chisum said in a postgame interview. “It’s going to be like that every night, I can tell you that. So I’m happy for the win, I can tell you that much.”

Freshman outside hitter Janell Fitzgerald led Texas State with 18 kills. Senior middle blocker Madison Daigle added 12 kills, while senior outside hitter Amy Pflughaupt recorded 11 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Tyeranee Scott amassed 10 kills. 

Freshman setter Emily Dewalt notched her 10th double-double of the season with 55 assists and 14 digs. DeWalt continues to lead the Sun Belt in double-doubles. Junior libero Micah Dinwiddie secured a match-high 21 digs. 

On the Little Rock side, freshman outside hitter Laura Jansen led the Trojans with 13 kills followed by senior middle blocker Veronica Marin’s 10 kills. 

 Texas State continues Sun Belt play against Arkansas State on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. inside Strahan Arena.