Huntsville - Led by Haley Neisler, Carli Kolbe and Kim Black, Sam Houston turned the tables on Texas State for a four-set victory Southland Conference volleyball victory over the Bobcats Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum.
In their match two weeks ago in San Marcos, the Bobcats won in four. But Texas State (14-11, Southland 7-4) coming into Johnson Coliseum in second place in the West Division, the Kats got revenge with a 27-25 25-22 20-25 25-20 victory.
Neilser totaled 15 kills while Kolbe and Black added 14 and 11, respectively. Sam Houston (12-14, Southland 6-5) out-pointed the Bobcats 71 to 57, totaling 50 kills in 148 attempts.
AJ Watlington led Texas Sate with 10 kills. The Bobcats totaled 41 as a team.
The first three sets all literally were cat fights. There were eight ties in the first set, seven in the second and six in the third.
Sam Houston appeared headed for a three-set sweep, up 16-13. But the Bobcats rallied for a 12-4 run to pick up their only set victory of the match.
In the fourth, Sam Houston jumped out to an 18-7 lead and held off a late Texas State surge to earn the victory.
The Bearkat front line totaled 12 blocks including six by Kelli Stewart and five apiece by Black and Neisler.
Kaylee Hawlins picked up 13 digs while Kolbe had 12. Kym Loving ran the floor as setter, earning 41 assists.
Sam Houston State plays host to UT-Arlington Saturday at 2 p.m.
