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ARLINGTON, Texas - Coastal Carolina knocked off Texas State, 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-13), in the semifinals of the 2016 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Championship Saturday evening inside College Park Center. The win advances the Chanticleers to the title match set for Sunday at 1 p.m. (CT).

It was the 16th-consecutive win for Coastal as the Chants improved to a league-best, 26-4, on the season.

CCU grabbed an early 5-1 lead in the opening set, but Texas State (21-12) was able to power to the set win with the help of three-consecutive service aces by Bobcat senior Ali Hubicsak. After Coastal Carolina tied the match at 12-12, neither side led by more than two until the Bobcats scored three in a row to pull away at 22-19. The Chanticleers climbed back to within one at 23-22, with the two teams exchanging points before the Bobcats pulled it out, 25-23.

Coastal Carolina went ahead 2-1 by winning set three 25-19. Texas State started strong by taking a 7-4 lead and found itself on top 10-8. The Chants then went up 14-10 on the heels of a 6-0 run, but the Bobcats were able to get back within one at 18-17. The final points of the third went in favor of CCU as the Chanticleers scored seven of the last nine to take set three.

CCU jumped on top 8-3 in the fourth set and never looked back as they were able to extend their lead to 15-5, ultimately capturing the set, 25-13.

Coastal Carolina will face the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between top-seeded Arkansas State and tournament-host UT Arlington.

Texas State’s Jaliyah Bolden posted a match- and career-high 21 kills on a .425 attack percentage while Erin Hoppe posted 44 assists and 10 digs.

Leah Hardeman led the way for CCU with 20 kills and seven digs, hitting .390 on the day. Tahleia Bishop added 16 kills on .519 hitting and Annayka Legros totaled 10 kills and six blocks for the Chants. Sara Boothe tallied 30 assists and eight digs for CCU.