12:55: Just about ready to go with Lamar and Texas State. This should be a dogfight. Anxious to see who will step up. Just had a really nice conversation with SHSU head coach Brenda Gray. Was also hoping to to talk with Gibert pre-match as well, but his club has been warming up so, of course, he's got things to do. Texas State has got a good contingent of fans in the house this afternoon.
1:25: Texas State finishes off Lamar in set 1. Lots of action at the net. Texas State with six blocks in the first set alone - four by Jillian Wolpman. Lamar blocked three balls and Jayme Bazile was in on all three. She is a huge presence at the net, even if she is rail thin. Lamar hits just .027 in the first set. Cave with five kills on five attacks for Texas State.
1:48: Role reversal. Lamar jumps out to a 6-0 lead in set 2 and makes it stick winning set 2 and tying things up at halftime. Meengs for Lamar continues to impress...she leads the entire field in kills from the setter position. Meengs' has eight kills with no errors. She is such a weapon at her position. Almost a reversal of stats in set 2 with Lamar hitting .222 and Texas State hitting an even .000. Thought we'd get a dogfight and it looks like we've got one.
2:26: What a slug fest between Lamar and Texas State. A very well played and tight set there in Set 3. Texas State comes back to win in extra action 28-26. The Bobcats hit .317 in the set and Melinda Cave now has a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs. Middleton with the winner at the end for Texas State on a huge kill. Meengs already has a TRIPLE-double in three sets. 12 kills on no errors, 23 assists and 14 digs already. She looks headed for at least a double-twenty. In my opinion, this has been the best volleyball of the tournament.
2:56: A truly spectacular match. Texas State takes extra time to win, but does so 26-24 in the fourth set to finish the Cardinals. Very impressive on both sides. If we get past Nicholls, we will have to play at a very high level - something we definitely CAN do - in order to take this championship. Meengs for Lamar finishes with 15 kills and 19 digs and 35 assists. Incredibly impressive. Middleton paces Texas State with 16 kills and Amber Calhoun registers nine blocks. Cave played very well too. The best match of the tourney, easily.
Time to switch over now and join Ben and I in the chat room. One hour 'till first serve. Go get a snack, check in on Lumberjack football and then get to www.sfajacks.com in an hour.
