Texas State volleyball just etched their name in the record books, snatching a massive 3-0 sweep against Utah State on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in their very first Pac-12 Conference game. This wasn’t just a win, it was *the* first Pac-12 conference victory for any Texas State athletic program, a truly historic moment.
The Legend’s Words Lit a Fire
You know what really sets the tone for a historic night? A surprise visit from a true legend. Head Coach Sean Huiet got just that when his predecessor, Karen Chisolm, who led the Bobcats for 40 incredible years before retiring in 2019, showed up in the locker room. Huiet didn’t even know she was coming! But Chisolm, in her own unique way, lit a fire under the team. “At one point, she was like, ‘You get to go in school history, and get the first win in Pac-12. You are going to be in school history,’” Huiet revealed, and you could feel that message resonate. Her words struck a chord with every player, and it showed.
From Sluggish Start to Sweep City
But let’s be real, it didn’t start pretty. After two tough five-set losses in a row, the Bobcats came out sluggish, staring down a 14-7 deficit in the first set. Utah State’s serves were wrecking their flow, and setter Anna Blaine wasn’t quite connecting with her hitters. It felt like things could fall apart. But volleyball is a game of wild momentum swings, right? Out of that timeout, Texas State absolutely exploded with a 13-5 run, clawing their way back to a 20-19 lead. The Aggies wavered, dropped that first set, and honestly, they never recovered. Huiet later admitted that if they’d lost that opener, he had no idea how the rest of the game would have played out. “Our highs have been high, and our lows have been low. We’ve been trying to even that out a little bit,” he said, acknowledging that critical first-set comeback absolutely “set the tone.”
Energy, Kills, and a Championship Mindset
Individual performances were clutch too. Outside hitter Brooke Bentke was her usual spectacular self, hammering 15 kills on 30 attacks and adding nine digs. Then there’s sophomore outside hitter Peyton McKee, a Missouri State transfer, who racked up 10 kills. But it was her pure, relentless energy that stood out. After almost every one of her points, she was pumping her fist, screaming, hugging teammates, even busting out a perfect worm dance! She noticed how her optimism affected the team during an earlier reverse sweep against UT-Arlington and has brought that mindset to every game since. McKee gets it: “I might not always be on with my kills or my hits, but I can always bring something to the table.” And let’s not forget middle blocker India Bennett, who scored the winning point to seal the deal. This team isn’t just happy to be in the Pac-12. Texas State athletics has been super consistent with their messaging: standards are high, and they’re aiming for championships across all sports. They were picked to finish third in a tough nine-team conference, and this historic win is a massive statement. What a start to their Pac-12 journey!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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