With all fall sports moved to the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this semester is jam-packed full of Bearkat sports. This week, Sam Houston athletics was back in full force with an event almost every day this week.
Volleyball
Sam Houston’s volleyball team began their season Tuesday night falling to the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears in a hard-fought five sets. Freshman libero Hannah Baker shined as she led the team in digs with 26 in her collegiate debut.
This game kicked off the first fall program to start their season after being rescheduled for the spring.
The Bearkats volleyball team responded to their opening night loss with a convincing win over the Northwestern State University Lady Demons by sweeping them in three sets. The Bearkats only allowed more than 13 points in one of the three sets, where they only gave up 17 points in the second set.
Senior outside hitter Ashley Lewis led the team in kills for the second game in a row with 17 total. Baker also led the team in digs for the second game in a row with 14. Senior setter Madilyn Miles was also tied with Baker with 14 digs.
Bearkats volleyball will travel to Louisiana for their next game as they will take on the University of New Orleans Privateers Thursday, at 6:30 p.m. in New Orleans.
Basketball
Men and women’s basketball went undefeated this week including a huge win over Nicholls State University in a doubleheader on Saturday.
Women’s basketball also had a convincing victory over the Houston Baptist University Huskies Wednesday night with a score of 88-57. Junior forward Amber Leggett led the way scoring with 21. This was also her fifth straight game with 20 straight points.
The bigger victories came on Saturday against Nicholls.
The women’s team defeated Nicholls with a score of 72-58. Senior guard Faith Cook led the way scoring 20 points, tied with Leggett. The Bearkats took the lead early in the first quarter and never looked back. They move to 5-3 in the conference, 9-5 overall.
The Bearkats women’s basketball will travel to Louisiana to face off against Southeastern Louisiana University Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7:00 p.m.
The men’s team was able to pull off a close victory shortly after the women’s game with a score of 78-71. They move to 8-1 in conference play.
The Bearkats were able to take this victory trailing by one going into halftime. They outscored Nicholls by eight points in the second half to take the victory. Junior guard Zach Nutall continues to be one of the team’s most prolific scorers as he led the team with 23 points. Junior guard Donte Powers had an impressive game as well, being second in scoring on the team in their contest with 15. He also led the team in assists with eight.
The men’s basketball team will host Southeastern Louisiana University Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 at Johnson Coliseum.
Tennis
The Sam Houston tennis team had to put a pause on their hot start to the season. Two of their last four games have been canceled, including their latest matchup against Texas Tech University. The tennis team is currently 4-2 on the season, after starting their 2021 campaign off with four straight victories.
The tennis team looks to compete at Rice University this upcoming Friday at 1:00 p.m.
This coming week
With all sports beginning to be back in action, several other sports kick off this upcoming week.
Women’s golf will begin their 2021 campaign with the Texas State Invitational from Feb. 8-9.
Soccer will open up their season at Pritchett field Friday, Feb. 12, against Northwestern State University at 6:30 p.m.
Softball begins their season with a big tournament that will be hosted by the University of Texas. The Texas tournament will run through the weekend of Feb. 12 and conclude the following Sunday.