Sam Houston State Bearkats’ volleyball team are
looking to finish the regular season on a high note as they head on
the road to face Lamar Cardinals on Thursday and the McNeese State
Cowgirls on Saturday.

The Bearkats are 9-5 in the Southland
Conference and 15-12 overall. With wins against University of Texas
at San Antonio Roadrunners and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Islanders, they have clinched a spot in the Southland Conference
Post-Season Tournament that will be held in Conway, Arkansas from
November 18-20.

Though they have clinched a spot, they
are more focused than ever as they will be facing a Lamar team that
are on a three-game winning streak with wins against Nicholls State,
Northwestern State and Central Arkansas and are 8-6 in the East
Division of the Southland Conference and 10-19 overall. The last win
helped them clinched a spot in the tournament.

Lamar totals 1,242 kills for the
season, with sophomore outside hitter Sierra Whittacker leading them
with 318 kills. Four other players on the Cardinals have 100 or more
kills.

The Kats will also face McNeese State
Cowgirls on Saturday. The Cowgirls are 5-9
in conference play and 10-18 overall, with a current three-game
winning streak.

Senior middle blocker Nicole Bowden
lead the Cowgirls with 368 kills, averaging 3.38 per set. Five other
players on the team have 100 or more kills.

On the defensive side, the Cowgirls is
leading the conference with a total of 1,817 digs, averaging 16.7 per
set. They are tied for third in the East Division of the Southland
Conference and will try to hang on to it as they bid for a position
in the tournament.

Heading into the games, the Bearkats
totals 1,303 kills, with senior outside hitter Carli Kolbe leading
them with 334 kills and was named Southland Conference “Offensive
Player of the Week.”

“We need to focus on us and just play
our game,” Kolbe said.

Senior middle blocker Kim Black is
second on the team with 229 kills. Sophomore middle blocker Haley
Neisler, who was named “Defensive Player of the Week” by the
Southland Conference, is third with 188 kills. Three other players
have 100 or more kills while senior setter Kym Loving have 1,053
assists for the season.

“We need to get to where we are on
top of game before the conference tournament begins,” Loving said.

The Bearkats will face Lamar Cardinals
on Thursday night at 7 p.m and McNeese State Cowgirls on Saturday at
2 p.m. For more information on the team, visit gobearkats.com.

by Cheval John

Here are the highlights from Day 2 of the Bearkat Invitational Tournament

Game 5: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAMCC) defeats the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) 34-36, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22.

TAMCC Islanders defeated UTPA Broncos in four sets by the score of 34-36, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22.

The Broncos won the first set in a hard battle between the two teams. The set had 18 tie scores and 11 leads changes.

But the Islanders regrouped and won the next three sets to give the Broncos their second loss of the season.

Sophomore outside hitter Isabella Arcidiacono led the Islanders with 14 kills, 5 blocks and 3 digs, while sophomore middle blocker Brooke Alverson contributed with 9 kills, 7 blocks, 4 aces and 8 blocks.

Freshmen outside hitter Michelle McNamee led the Broncos with 7 kills, 3 blocks, an ace and 4 digs, while junior middle blocker Sarah Davis and junior outside hitter Ijanae Holman each contributed with 6 kills.

Game 6: Louisiana Tech (LATech) defeats Rutgers 25-23, 24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 15-12

LATech Techsters defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in five sets by the score of 25-23, 24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 15-12.

Sophomore outside hitter and Brazil native Clara Vido led the Techsters with 21 kills, 11 digs, 2 assists, a block and an ace.

Senior setter and fellow Brazil native Bianca Bin had 43 assists, 4 kills, 10 digs, 6 blocks and 2 aces, while middle blocker and Huntsville native Caitlin Germany had 7 kills, 6 blocks, 6 digs and an ace for the Techsters.

“To win the game in five sets shows us that this year we’re going to be in good competition against the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) schools,” Germany said.

Junior middle blocker Alex Jones led the Scarlet Knights with 18 kills, 9 blocks, 3 digs and an ace, while freshmen outside hitter Sofi Cucuz contributed with 11 kills, 6 aces, 2 blocks and 2 digs.

Game 7: Sam Houston State (SHSU) defeats Islanders 25-21, 25-15, 23-25, 25-22

SHSU Bearkats defeated the Islanders in four sets by the score of 25-21, 25-15, 23-25, 25-22.

Senior outside hitter Carli Kolbe led the Bearkats with 21 kills, 18 digs, 3 aces and a block.

“Carli wants to win,” graduate assistant coach Jason Curnalia said. “She has taken her leadership in her four years to another level and the girls are following her lead.”

Sophomore middle blocker Haley Neisler had 9 kills, 5 blocks, 5 digs and an ace while senior setter Kym Loving had 49 assists, 13 digs, 2 aces, 1 kill and a block for the Kats.

The Bearkats won the first two sets, but lost the third set in the match.

The fourth set was another battle between the two teams with 18 tie scores and 7 lead changes. Neisler’s two kills gave the Kats a boost that would lead them to win the set and the match against the Islanders.

“Haley is a quiet presence on the court,” assistant coach Curnalia said. “She has the talent and the ability to put the ball away.”

Senior outside hitter Jessica Korda and sophomore middle blocker Brooke Alverson led the Islanders with 10 kills each, while freshmen outside hitter Ashley Phelps contributed with 6 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace and a block.

Game 8: Scarlet Knights defeats the Broncos 25-20, 25-22, 25-13

The Scarlet Knights defeated the Broncos in straight sets by the score of 25-10, 25-22, 25-13.

Alex Jones led the Scarlet Knights with 10 kills and 5 blocks, while sophomore outside hitter Brittany Bozzini and senior middle blocker Hannah Curtis contributed with 7 kills each.

Junior middle blocker Sarah Davis and freshmen outside hitter Diara Reynolds led the Broncos with 5 kills each, while freshmen setter Shauna Miller contributed with 19 assists, 3 kills and 3 digs.

Game 9: Bearkats defeats Techsters 26-24, 25-9, 25-20

The Bearkats won the 2011 Bearkat Invitational by defeated Louisiana Tech in straight sets 26-24, 25-9, 25-20. It was the 12^th time that they won the tournament in its 36 year history and the first time to start the season undefeated since 1983.

Carli Kolbe led the Bearkats with 19 kills, 7 digs and an ace while sophomore outside hitter Kelli Stewart had 10 kills, 6 blocks and 1 dig.

The first set was an uphill battle for the Bearkats as they were trailing four times by a total of three points.

Stewart set the tone with a kill that brought the Kats within two. The Techsters would gain another point on an attacking error by Kolbe to make it 24-21. With Kolbe two key kills and an attacking error by the Techsters’ Clara Vido would tie the match at 24-24.

Haley Neisler  and Kolbe each had a kill that completed the comeback and won the set for the Bearkats.

The Kats would cruise the final two sets to sweep the Techsters and win the tournament.

Kolbe finished the tournament with 62 kills and was named the “Most Valuable Player.”

“It’s really great to start off 4-0,” Kolbe said. “We have played some really good teams and we wanted to start the season strong.

She was also named to the Bearkat Invitational All-Tournament team along with middle blocker Kim Black, who had 28 blocks in the tournament and setter Kym Loving, who had 156 assists and 36 total digs.

“Winning the tournament solidifies our hard work over the last two and a half weeks of preseason,” Loving said.

Junior libero Jamie Haas contributed in key moments of the tournament and she finished with a total of 36 digs.

“Jamie is wearing the different color for a reason,” coach Gray said. “She dug a lot in the game and did her job.”

“The win means a great deal to us,” Haas said. “This is another step toward winning the conference title, so we have to go out and win the next tournament.”

Vido led the Techsters with 7 kills, 7 digs, 2 aces and an assist while junior transfer and fellow Brazilian Marcella Braz contributed with 4 kills, 4 digs and an ace.

Junior transfer Stephany Salas was also named to the Bearkat Invitational All-Tournament team, finishing with 65 total digs for the Techsters. Joining her on the team are Brooke Alverson, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; Juri Franzen, Texas-Pan American and Alex Jones, Rutgers.

The Bearkats will be in Denton for the North Texas Invitational on September 2-3. They will face the University of North Texas on Friday at 7 p.m. along with the University of Cincinnati and the University of Oklahoma on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and at 4:30 p.m., respectively.

by Cheval John

The 2011 Comfort Suites/Bearkat Invitational was held on August 26-27 at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum on the campus of Sam Houston State University. University of Texas-Pan American, Louisiana Tech, Rutgers and fellow Southland Conference member Texas A&M-Corpus Christi participated along with the host university, Sam Houston State University. Here are the highlights from Day 1:

Game 1: Sam Houston State (SHSU) defeats the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) 25-14, 25-15, 20-25, 25-21.

SHSU Bearkats defeated UTPA Broncos in four sets by the score of 25-14, 25-15, 20-25, 25-21.

Senior outside hitter Carli Kolbe led the Bearkats with 11 kills and 14 digs in the game.

“Carli gave us spark today,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “It was good to see her carry the team on her shoulders when it was needed.”

Junior transfer outside hitter Kendall Cleveland had 10 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs and an ace in her first game as a Bearkat.

“Kendall balances Carli and it is nice to have two outside hitters who can terminate the ball,” coach Gray said.

“She is a great player,” Kolbe said. “She steps in and does her job really well. We are lucky to have her on the team.”

The Bearkats won the first two sets easily, but lost the third set in the match.

They battle their way through the fourth set that had 9 tie scores and three lead changes. With the score tied at 18-18, Kolbe had a kill that gave them the lead. Freshmen outside hitter Deveney Wells-Gibson scored the final two points that put the game away for the Bearkats.

“Deveney has that cabality and she showed it today in the game,” coach Gray said.

“We would not have win without Deveney,” Kolbe said. “She had a block and 2 kills. To step up like that as a freshman is very reassuring for us.”

Senior middle blocker Kim Black contributed with 8 blocks and 9 kills, while senior setter Kym Loving had 38 assists and 3 kills.

Game 2: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAMCC) defeats Rutgers University 25-16, 25-23, 25-21

Fellow Southland Conference member TAMCC Islanders defeated Rutgers Scarlet Knights in straight sets 25-16, 25-23, 25-21.

Sophomore middle blocker Brooke Alverson led the Islanders with 9 kills, 3 blocks and 4 digs, while senior outside hitter Jessica Korda and junior opposite hitter Shannon Hullum each contributed with 6 kills.

Sophomore outside hitter and Bryan/College Station native Tiffany Regmund led the Scarlet Knights with 8 kills and 7 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Brittany Bozzino and junior middle blocker Alex Jones each had 6 kills.

Game 3: UTPA defeats Louisiana Tech (LATech) 29-27, 25-21, 25-23

UTPA Broncos defeated LATech Techsters in straight sets by the score of 29-27, 25-21, 25-23.

Junior outside hitter Ijanae Holman led the Broncos with 12 kills, 10 digs and a block, while junior middle blocker Sarah Davis followed with 9 kills and 3 blocks.

Sophomore outside hitter Clara Vido and junior transfer outside hitter Marcella Braz led the Techsters with 9 kills a piece. Freshman right side hitter Anne Marie Taylor was third on the team with 7 kills while sophomore middle blocker and Huntsville native Caitlin Germany had 6 kills.

Game 4: SHSU Bearkats defeats Rutgers Scarlet Knights 25-14, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22

The Bearkats defeated the Scarlet Knights in four sets 25-14, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22.

Outside hitter Carli Kolbe led the Bearkats with 11 kills, 15 digs, 3 assists an ace and a block.

“Carli is one of our true leaders,” setter/defensive specialist Tayler Gray said. “She is a gamer and when the lights are on, she is ready to play.”

Middle blocker Kim Black had 9 kills, 9 blocks and 2 aces while setter Kym Loving had 31 assists, 5 kills, 8 digs, 6 blocks and an ace.

The Bearkats won the first two sets in the game, but lost the third set in the match.

The fourth set was a battle between the two teams with 6 tie scores and one lead change. Sophomore middle blocker Haley Neisler had two key kills that put the game away for the Kats.

“Haley did an excellent job tonight,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “She runs complete slides and blocks very well. That is what she’s there for.”

“She is consistent and when we really need her, she steps up,” Kolbe said.

Middle blocker Alex Jones led the Scarlet Knights with 15 kills, 6 digs, 4 blocks and an ace while outside hitter Tiffany Regmund had 13 kills, 10 digs and a block.

Highlights from Day 2 of the tournament will be posted tomorrow.

by Cheval John

Friday May 20 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 5    Sam Houston State Bearkats 1

The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (A&M-CC) Islanders spoiled the farewell game of head coach Mark Johnson as they beat the Sam Houston State (SHSU) Bearkats 5-1.

The Islanders got on the board in the top of the first on a RBI single by leftfielder Matt Holland (2-5) that made it a 1-0.

They increased the lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth on a RBI double by shortstop Weston Montgomery (2-3).

The Bearkats pulled within one in the bottom of the eighth when catcher John Hale (1-2) scored on a wild pitch by starting pitcher Todd Simko and had an opportunity to tie the game, but to no avail. Hale singled earlier in the inning with one out and advanced to second on a single by firstbaseman Daniel Nottebart (2-4) and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice that allowed leftfielder Luke Plucheck (2-3) to reach first. After Hale scored, pinched hitter Tyler Jones walked and centerfielder Mark Hudson (1-2) followed with a walk to load the bases with two outs. Then thirdbaseman Kevin Miller (0-3) struck out to end the inning.

That allowed the Islanders to put the game out of reach when they exploded for three runs in the top of the ninth to make it 5-1. Logan Nottebrok, who replaced thirdbaseman Bobby Buckner (2-4) earlier in the game, led off the inning with a walk. Secondbaseman Jeramie Marek (1-2) reached on error by relieve pitcher Paul Spinn. Then Holland followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1. Firstbaseman Trey Hernandez (1-3) followed with a walk to load the bases. Then centerfielder Chris Vergne’s (2-4) RBI sacrifice fly increased the lead to 4-1. They scored the fifth run on a RBI single by shortstop Weston Montgomery (2-3).

Simko went eight innings and got the win for the Islanders and starting pitcher Matt Shelton got the loss for the Bearkats.

Saturday May 21 A&M-CC 6  SHSU 4

A&M-CC swept the series against SHSU by the score of 6-4. This was the final home game for head coach Mark Johnson, who is retiring at the end of the 2011 season.

The Bearkats scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first on a RBI single by thirdbaseman Kevin Miller (3-4).

But the Islanders exploded for five runs in the top of the fourth to make it 5-1. Secondbaseman Jeramie Marek (2-5) led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a single by firstbaseman Trey Hernandez (2-4). Marek would score from second on a RBI single by leftfielder Matt Holland (2-4) to tie the game. Rightfielder Jacob Perales (1-4) followed with a single to load the bases. The second run for the Islanders came on a bases loaded walk to centerfielder Chris Vergne (0-2). Then designated hitter Omar Garcia’s (1-4) two-run double and an error by leftfielder Luke Plucheck (0-3) capped the five run inning.

Hernandez would score the Islanders sixth run on a balk by relieve pitcher Brent Powers. Hernandez walked earlier in the inning with one out and advanced to third on a single by Holland.

The Bearkats scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a RBI ground out by shortstop Braeden Riley (0-5) and on a RBI single by designated hitter Chris Andreas (2-3).

They had an opportunity in the bottom of the sixth when centerfielder Mark Hudson (0-2) led off the inning with a walk. He would advance to second on a bunt single by rightfielder Greg Olson (1-5). Catcher John Hale (2-5) followed with a bunt single to load the bases. Then firstbaseman Daniel Nottebart (3-4) hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 6-4. Then Plucheck struck out to make it one out and secondbaseman Ryan Mooney (0-4) fouled out to make it two outs and then Riley fouled out to end the inning.

They would have similar opportunities in the bottom of the seventh, the eighth and the ninth inning, respectively, but to no avail.

“We were in position several times to tie or win the game,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “You look for encouragements and we haven’t been that way for the last two days, so we felt that we were on the brink today.

For the Bearkats’ 13 seniors, even though they close out their playing careers at home with a loss, they are looking forward to send out their head coach Mark Johnson as a winner in the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament next week.

“He means everything to me,” senior Chris Andreas said. “He’s a great coach and it’s an honor for me to play for him and he taught me lessons on the field as well as off the field.”

“I am happy that we made the post season and have a chance to play for the Southland Conference Baseball Championship.”

“It’s disappointing for me because we wanted to finish strong,” senior Braeden Riley said. “The post-season is coming up and it’s a fresh start for us and we have to go out there and play.”

According to head coach Johnson, “Tournament time is an interesting time because the mentality changes and the whole physical make up and there’s no edges given.”

The Bearkats will be the #5 seed as they will face the #4 seed  Southeastern Louisiana in the 2011 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament that will be held at Bobcat Ballpark on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos from May 25-28. The game will start at 4:00 pm. and will be broadcast live via internet on gobearkats.com. All of the games will be streamed live at www.southland.org. The championship game will be televised on the Southland Conference Television Network on Saturday night at 6 p.m.