EDINBURG, Texas – Washington State volleyball made quick work of Texas Southern Saturday morning, in the final match of the UTRGV Tournament for the Cougars.
Set scores from the match were: 25-9, 27-25, and 25-9 in favor of the WSU(11-1).
Washington State was all business during the opening set of this match, shooting out of the gate to a 12-1 lead over Texas Southern (1-7). This scoring run to get the Cougars started was fueled by multiple
Alexis Dirige service aces, along with kills from
Magda Jehlarova,
Pia Timmer,
Alexcis Lusby, and
Penny Tusa. The WSU lead only continued to increase from there, as
Hannah Pukis and
Gabbie Heller recorded kills to hold a 21-7 advantage late. The set victory was capped off by a kill from Jehlarova, and another Dirige ace to put away the Tigers at 25-9.
The freshmen of Washington State led the way early in the second set as
Reagan Cooper,
Mykayla Myers, and Heller each provided kills to hold an 11-8 lead. Jehlarova posted back-to-back kills midway through the set, and Pukis added another to her stat line as well to see WSU ahead at 19-12. Texas Southern found some rhythm however and would go on a 7-0 scoring run and eventually take the lead from the Cougars at 23-22. A quick reset by WSU, aided by blocks from Myers, Lusby, Pukis and Jehlarova tied up the set at 25-25. Magda gave the Cougars the 26-25 advantage with a kill, and a costly error from Texas Southern saw WSU claim set number two.
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The Cougars were not messing around in the final set of this match, surging ahead to a 15-5 lead over the Tigers. WSU provided plenty of attack power in this third set, as kills from
Jocelyn Urias, Timmer, and Lusby swung the momentum in the favor of the Cougars. Heller added a spark to the WSU scoring with a kill and back-to-back service aces to see WSU up 20-7 late in the set.
Charity Bradley and Urias tallied kills to complete the sweep of Texas Southern with a set win at 25-9.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Cougars held Texas Southern under double digits in multiple sets during this match, winning two at 25-9. Washington State showed its' dominance in set number one, posting a hitting percentage of .500 overall as a team.
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INTO THE TWITTER-VERSE
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MATCH NOTES
- Alexcis Lusby and Magda Jehlarova each totaled eight kills in the match, along with each hitting over .460 against the Tigers as well.
- Hannah Pukis turn in yet another solid performance on the court, with 36 overall assists, seven digs, one block assist, and three kills.
- The Cougars saw three student-athletes named to the UTRGV All-Tournament Team in Alexcis Lusby, Magda Jehlarova, and Alexis Dirige. Lusby also earned Tournament MVP honors as well for her stellar play this weekend. Â
- Washington State will next take on rival No. 10 Washington to begin Pac-12 play. This match is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5:30 p.m. inside the home of the Cougars, Bohler Gym.
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