Sept. 30, 2010
Box Score
BEAUMONT - Redshirt sophomore Tina Hobbs pounded out a career-high 21 kills on Thursday night, and the Lady Cardinals got exceptional passing and defense to help Lamar University pick up a huge Southland Conference volleyball victory over defending SLC Tournament champion Texas State.
Lamar improved to 7-8 on the year and 3-1 in the SLC with the hard-fought victory. The Lady Cardinals will look to win their third straight SLC contest on Saturday afternoon at 1 when UT Arlington visits McDonald Gym. The Bobcats absorbed their first conference loss of the young season in falling to 9-8 overall and 2-1 in the league.
The deciding fifth set stayed tight throughout. Lamar went ahead 7-4, but Texas State responded with a 4-0 run to grab an 8-7 lead. LU tied it and took the lead at 9-8 on a Jayme Bazile kill, and would never trail again.
With the score knotted at 15, sophomore outside hitter Cynthia McCollum came up with one of her four kills to give the Lady Cards match point. A mad scramble for an over ball by Texas State was dug up by freshman Megan McStravick and then hit the floor across the net for the final point.
"We came out really focused tonight and seemed to have solved some of the serving problems that have been plaguing us this season," said LU head coach Justin Gibert. "Some of the problems crept up, but we still outhit, outdug and outblocked them."
Lamar's focus was evident in the first set as the Lady Cards attacked at an incredible .533 percentage for the entire set en route to a 25-18 victory. Hobbs finished the set with seven of her kills to lead the LU victory.
Texas State bounced back to even the match at 1-1 with a 25-23 second set victory as Lamar slipped to a still respectable .276 hitting percentage. Texas State would earn a 25-23 win in the second set, before LU grabbed the third set by a 25-20 count.
Lamar had every opportunity to close out the match in four sets. After falling behind by five points early, LU stormed all the way back to tie the set at 16. Lamar would tie it again at 20, but finally ran out of steam and fell 25-22 to set up the thrilling final set.
"I can't say enough for our passers tonight," said Gibert. "Bailey (Smith) played an incredible game and the back row passing allowed us to neutralize one of the best serving teams in the league.
"A win like this gives us that confidence that we can do really well in the league and play with the best in the conference."
In addition to her 21 kills, Hobbs attacked at a .405 percentage and finished with five total blocks. Bazile, who did not have her typical dominating performance, still managed 13 kills and five blocks.
Smith led all players easily with 24 digs as she sent herself sprawling across the floor for several amazing saves. Her pinpoint passing to setter Alex Morford helped the sophomore dish out 53 assists and run an efficient offense.
The Bobcats, who finished with 61 kills on a .208 attack percentage, got 15 kills and seven digs from A.J. Watlington and 10 kills and seven blocks from Amber Calhoun.
LAMAR
