Little Rock Drops Heartbreaker against No. 15 Texas State

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Little Rock won a set over a ranked opponent for the first time since 2014 and for the second time this season had four players reach double-digit kills. The Trojans even forced extra points in two sets in what is becoming a recurring theme. But the upset bid against No. 15 Texas State (13-1, 8-0 Sun Belt) would slip through Little Rock's fingers in a 3-1 decision at Strahan Arena Friday evening.
 
Set scores were 27-25, 25-20, 21-25 and 28-26 as the Trojans (1-10, 1-9) forced extra points in a set for the 10^th and 11^th time this season. The 25-21 set win in the third frame marked Little Rock's first set win over a ranked team since a 25-13 win over No. 5 Southern Cal in 2014.
 
Laura Jansen led the Trojans with her seventh double-double of the year (15 kills, 20 digs) while Nicole Medlin added a career-high 13 kills.
 
No. 15 Texas State was led by Janell Fitzgerald's 23 kills and .541 hitting percentage while Emily DeWalt registered a school record 64 assists.
 
Behind the Box Score

• Janae Thurston and Laura Jansen each put down four kills in the opening set.
• Little Rock hit .239 in the opening frame compared to Texas State's .341.
• The opening set witnessed 11 ties and six lead changes.
• The Trojans were out-blocked in the second set, 5-2
• Nicole Medlin served up two aces in the second frame.
• Laura Jansen recorded a solo block in the second set.
• The third set saw the Trojans out-hit Texas State, .314 to .222
• The Trojans out-blocked the Bobcats in the third set, 4-3
• Nicole Medlin and Laura Jansen led Little Rock with four kills in the third frame.
• The fourth set saw eight ties and two lead changes.
• The Trojans forced extra points after trailing 21-18 late in the set.
• Texas State ended the fourth set and match on a 3-0 run.

 
Leaders by the Numbers
Kills: 15, Laura Jansen
Assists: 32, Alyssa Nayar
Service Aces: 2, Noelle Carey, Nicole Medlin
Digs: 20, Laura Jansen, Leigh Maher
Blocks: 3, Nedima Kamberovic, Nicole Medlin
 
Notables

• The 25-21 win in set three marked the first set win over a ranked opponent for Little Rock since a 25-13 set win over No. 5 Southern Cal on Aug. 30, 2014.
• The set win also marked just the second set win over a ranked opponent in Little Rock history.
• This marked the second time this season that Little Rock had four players reach double-digit kills.
• Laura Jansen (15 kills, 20 digs) recorded a double-double for the seventh time this season and for the 11^th time in her career.
• Nicole Medlin recorded a career-high 13 kills.
• Medlin also recorded a career-high two service aces.
• Noelle Carey recorded a career-high two service aces.
• Texas State now leads the all-time series, 13-5.

 
For the latest information on Little Rock Volleyball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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