Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Takes Home Friends of Coal Blue-Green Classic Title
9/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2005
Charleston, W.Va. -
BOX SCORE
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After capturing the Golden Ball traveling trophy with its win over rival WVU Friday night, the Thundering Herd volleyball team continued its winning ways on Saturday as it downed Coppin State and Morehead State by scores of 3-0 to win the Friends of Coal Blue-Green Classic at the Charleston Civic Center.
"I'm very proud of this team," Marshall head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "What we showed this weekend is that we're a team that's really strong throughout the lineup. I'm very pleased with the way we played and continued to show improvement."
With the wins, Marshall improves to 5-2 on the season as it heads to Pennsylvania next week for a match at Pittsburgh and a tournament at Penn State.
In the first match, the Herd downed Coppin State handily, 30-9, 30-19, 30-13. The Herd dominated from the start and was led by Stephanie Cahill with 13 kills and a .480 hitting percentage. Cahill finished the match with four service aces, two blocks and five digs. Also for the Herd, in her career debut, Jalicia Ross notched five kills on nine swings for a .444 hitting mark.
In the nightcap, Marshall downed Morehead State in a closely contested match with each team matching each other blow for blow in games one and two, but the Herd prevailed by scores of 30-28 in both. In game three, the Herd seized control early and never looked back to take the game 30-20 and seal the tournament championship.
"I'm very proud with the way our team finished," Jacobs said. "Morehead State came out and gave us everything they had. They really came after us. They're a very well coached team and are going to be very good."
Once again, Stephanie Cahill led the Herd with 12 kills and 16 digs along with four blocks. With her performance on the weekend, the sophomore took home the tournament MVP award. Also making the All-Tournament squad for the Herd were Nickie Sanlin and Maggie Arias.
"It was a coming out party for Stephanie Cahill and we're so proud of her," Jacobs said. "She showed everyone this weekend that she is a big time Division I volleyball player. She's very deserving of it because of all her hardwork."
Cahill was pleased with the award, but said most of the credit goes to the team.
"I'm proud of myself for the way I played, but I feel it was a total team MVP award," she said. "Everyone stepped up and played well when we needed it. I think this weekend was great for our team to get us going on a roll and I'm really happy with the way we stayed together and in control even when we were down."
