Stephen F. austin Shocks Defending Champs Texas State in Dominant Volleyball Victory
San Antonio, TX – In a stunning display of power and precision, the Stephen F. Austin (SFA) volleyball team defeated the defending Sun Belt champions, Texas State, in four sets (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-14) at the UTSA Invitational.the victory marks SFA’s first win against texas State since 2006, snapping a ten-game winning streak for the Bobcats. It also delivered a special birthday win for Head Coach Debbie Humphreys for the second consecutive year.
The match began with a strong start from Texas State, who raced to an 8-2 lead in the first set and ultimately took it 25-21. Though, SFA quickly responded, showcasing an offensive surge that would define the remainder of the contest.
The second set saw a dramatic shift in momentum. After tying the score at five, the Ladyjacks embarked on a commanding 6-1 run, fueled by two consecutive aces from Katherine Holtman. SFA continued to dominate, closing out the set with a 6-0 run – again highlighted by Holtman’s serving prowess, who added two more aces to her tally – for a decisive 25-16 victory.
SFA carried their momentum into the third set, establishing an 8-1 lead and maintaining a cozy advantage throughout. Back-to-back kills from Kennedy Jones and Ilana de Assis sealed the set 25-17.The fourth set was a complete showcase of SFA’s dominance. Jumping out to a 5-2 lead, the Ladyjacks never faltered, recording a remarkable six aces and ultimately winning 25-14 to secure the match.
Key Performers & Post-Match Honors
The Ladyjacks’ victory was a team effort, but several players stood out. Ilana de Assis was named the UTSA Invitational MVP after a stellar performance, recording 24 kills, hitting .286, with two aces, 19 digs, and two blocks. Katherine Holtman earned a spot on the Outstanding Players team, tying de Assis with 24 kills and adding five aces and four blocks, while also matching her career-high with four aces. Caroline Kahle rounded out the honorees, leading the SFA defense with 23 digs, 13 assists, and four aces.
By the Numbers: A Dominating performance
SFA’s victory wasn’t just about the score; it was a statistical masterclass. The Ladyjacks won every statistical category:
Points: 75-54
Kills: 52-43
Aces: 14-4 (the most in a single match since 2009)
Blocks: 9-7
Assists: 51-40
Digs: 45-43
This impressive win signals a strong start to the season for the SFA volleyball programme and demonstrates their potential to be a force in the Sun Belt Conference.
[Keywords: SFA Volleyball, texas State Volleyball, Sun Belt Conference, NCAA Volleyball, Katherine holtman, Ilana de Assis, Debbie Humphreys, UTSA Invitational, College Sports]
