Bobcats Tear Down Texas Southern Tigers

From the first set of the CenturyTel Premier in which Texas State volleyball opened with an 8-0 run, a crowd of a few hundred saw Texas Southern University manhandled by head coach Karen Chisum's 2009 group. The day's three-set sweep ended with set scores of 25-12, 25-10 and 25-10.

Jessica Weynand and Melinda Cave led the aggressive offense, but physical play seemed to matter most to coach Chisum. The Bobcat veteran, in her 30th season with the school, was quick to praise Shelbi Irvin's outstanding defense. Irvin scored no official points, but was everywhere on the court and a powerful force passing to Weynand, Cave, and Mo Middleton to run up the score. We can't deny her of some glory, though; she managed to squeak a few by the TSU defense via the tip and her three assists. Middleton's five scores matched sophomore outside hitter Whitney Rhoden's late-match surge. She entered in the third set and her five kills in seven attempts was the best on the team. Middleton was perfect with three kills in as many attempts on the day.

Rhoden's entrance was intense, as she surely vies for her own starting role. Other non-regulars such as Lydia Werchan and Jillian Wolpan pitched in for the third set as well, with Wolpan killing two points in three attack attempts. Set up by earlier veteran offense, Irvin, Caleig McCorquodale and Ashley Emanuel shut down the Tiger offense to cruise to the victory and eventual victory lap around Strahan Coliseum.

Texas Southern looked increasingly flat as the afternoon wore on. The Tigers won the coin toss, but their first serve of the game sailed low into the net, setting the day's tone, if you will. Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week Emma Obi underperformed in this one, killing one point in four tries, including one errant shot. Jerlessa King laid her body on the line and assumed a leadership role, but other than good sets from Simone Green and, the rest of the Tiger offense couldn't keep up.

Opposite the Tigers, Texas State came out of the locker room after the second set fun and free, laughing and dancing before the match-clinching third set. Coach Chisum was satisfied with her non-regular players' efforts, recognizing that last season was a sea-saw effort in pre-conference games (the 'Cats were 11-12 before their 14-3 SLC run), and that it's very possible to turn a now 2-6 volleyball team around. She contends that a bit of video analysis and reassurance can get these Bobcats rolling back into the lime light they had a season ago.

Next Friday, Sept. 18, Texas State head to Dallas for the SMU Invitational Tournament. The 'Cats will face host team Southern Methodist, William & Mary and Syracuse before returning to San Marcos for Southland Conference competition.

-Mason Robinson, KTSW Sports Staff Writer