The Sam Houston State volleyball team clashed with two Southland Conference foes this weekend. Both matches were five game thrillers, falling Friday at McNeese State and then winning Saturday at Lamar.
McNeese defeated the Bearkats 22-30, 30-23, 30-20, 25-30 and 15-13.
“Best match all year, lots of fun,” said Head Coach Brenda Gray.
Sophomore Alisha Fowler led the Kats with 14 kills and 5 blocks. Sophomore Chrissy Engle also added 14 kills and 4 blocks. Senior Carrie Sartain had 9 kills and 22 digs, while junior Karlee Butler had 49 assists.
Marquita Williams who led the Cowgirls with 21 kills and 3 blocks.
The Bearkats defeated the Cardinals 30-27, 27-30, 30-28, 31-33 and 15-12. Sartain posted 24 kills and 21 digs. Engle added 18 kills and 5 blocks while Fowler had 17 kills and 6 blocks. Butler had another big game in assists with 61, and she added 14 digs.
The Bearkats had a total of 81 team kills in the victory over Lamar.
“This weekend was the most fun we have had all year,” said Coach Gray.
Nikki Perry who had 22 kills led Lamar and Buchi Okoh added 17 kills and 9 blocks.
Coach Gray said, “She is glad that the girls haven’t given up this year, and I will bring back 10 girls next year.”
Sam Houston State returns home to Johnson Coliseum with a 9-14 overall record and a 6-9 SCL record. This week will start with a non-conference match Wednesday with SMU and then two SCL foes Friday and Saturday with Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana.
“We still have a shot to make the SCL tournament, but we need to do our part first,” said Coach Gray.
All three matches will begin at 7 p.m.
“SMU is having a good year and are 18-6 on the season,” said Coach Gray.
Wednesday is “Spirit Night,” Friday will be “Mr. Gatti’s Pizza Night,” and Saturday is “Parent’s Night” at Johnson Coliseum. Friday night is also going to be “Can Good Night” everyone coming to the game should bring a can food item.
I would like to just say congratulations to Coach Gray on getting her 450 win against Northwestern State on Nov. 24. This is Coach Gray’s 20th season at SHSU and she is averaging 23 wins a season.