Bobcats defeat SFA, McNeese State

Nov 2 2009 - 9:57pm | Eric Harper

The Bobcat volleyball team showed no fear this Halloween weekend.

Texas State had road wins at Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State 3-0 and 3-2, respectively.  The Bobcats improved their record to 14-12 overall, 8-3 in the Southland Conference and extended their win streak to five. The wins vaulted the Bobcats to a spot at third in the SLC, putting them second in the West Division.

The Bobcats began October with road defeats at Sam Houston State and Lamar. The Bobcats have lost one match since then — the five-match battle with Central Arkansas — and won six.  Coach Karen Chisum said the Bobcats have made significant strides in the last month, culminating with their road sweep of SFA and McNeese State. Chisum said the improved play has stemmed from a team that feels good about itself.

“Our confidence is growing and we are playing well as a unit,” Chisum said. “We are feeling really good about ourselves.  As a result of that confidence, we have reduced our errors.”

The Bobcats have been looking for leadership throughout the season. Chisum said the Bobcats have found leadership from Jessica Weynand, senior outside hitter, during the current five-match win streak. Weynand had eight kills in Texas State’s Thursday victory over SFA. She capped the weekend by leading the Bobcats with 19 kills in their five set defeat of McNeese State.

“Weynand has been a leader for us these last few weeks,” Chisum said. “She is a quiet leader but is playing as well as she has played in a long time.”

Amber Calhoun, sophomore middle blocker, played a significant role in the Bobcats’ wins with 19 kills combined in the two matches. Chisum said Calhoun was critical in all facets of the game.

“Amber was tremendous both offensively and defensively,” Chisum said. “Overall as a team we had a good rhythm.”

Texas State has played in five matches that went a full five sets this season. Saturday marked the Bobcats’ first victory in one of these matches. Chisum said the Bobcats were able to secure a fifth set victory for the first time because of the team’s attacking mentality.

“We played with aggressiveness and confidence,” Chisum said. “We weren’t complacent, and we went out to win.”

The Bobcats took the first two sets of Saturday’s match. The Cowgirls responded by taking the next two, forcing the match to a fifth set.

Chisum said the Bobcats made two key substitutions to come back with a win in the fifth set with Ally Buitron, junior libero, and Brittany

Collins, senior setter. The Bobcats won the final set 15-9.

Collins came through in a key moment for Texas State while Shelbi Irvin, junior setter, and Caleigh McCorquodale, freshman setter, paced the Bobcats’ setting game for most of the weekend. Irvin totaled 36 assists in the two matches. McCorquodale had 38 assists.

Chisum said the Bobcat setters played a key role in preparing the team for 103 kills in two matches.

“It did not matter which setter I used,” Chisum said. “They all did a great job placing the ball, which made it easier for our hitters to terminate.”

The Bobcats will look to continue their win streak 7 p.m. Tuesday at Texas-Arlington.

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