Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Cincinnati
Herd Volleyball Downs Cincinnati 3-2 in Home Opener
9/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 20, 2005
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Thundering Herd volleyball team picked up another win over a Big East opponent Tuesday night in its home opener at the Cam Henderson Center as it downed Cincinnati 3-2 (27-30, 30-28, 30-27, 24-30, 15-11).
With the win, Marshall improves to 8-4 on the season, while the Bearcats drop to 5-5. The win also gives the Herd a 25-4 record in the Cam Henderson Center with head coach Mitch Jacobs at the helm.
"We didn't play well, but it was very good for our team to pull out this gutsy win on a night where we didn't have our `A' game," Jacobs said. "We were able to put it together when it mattered more against a good team that was also struggling to get it together."
The Thundering Herd dropped game one of the match after falling behind early. Marshall would make a comeback to eventually take a 23-21 lead in the game, but the Bearcats' Maria Pongis would put down a kill then a service ace to tie it at 23-23. UC would take the lead on a Jenny Custer kill and follow it up with another Pongis ace to take a two-point advantage and go on to take game one.
In the second game, Marshall came out and set the tone behind the serving of Maggie Arias. The Herd would jump out to a quick 6-2 lead only to see Cincinnati charge back to tie it. The Bearcats then had the lead until a a kill by Kelly-Anne Billingy tied it and then a block by Billingy and Amber Sims would give the Herd a 24-23 lead. A pair of Christin Bimberg kills would give the Herd an added boost to take a 28-24 lead, but the Bearcats wouldn't go away. Cincinnati would tie it back up at 28-28 before Sims would slam the door with two kills to even up the match at 1-1.
Marshall would use the spark from game two to jump out early in game three and Billingy and Nickie Sanlin put down the hammer on the Bearcats in game three. Billingy had seven kills in the game and a .600 hitting percentage while Sanlin would add six kills of her own to help the Herd go on to a 30-27 win and take the lead in the match 2-1.
"I thought we set the trend in the games tonight," Jacobs said. "In games two and three we came out strong and used our own momentum to carry us. In games one and four we made some errors and didn't play well to start out and even though we'd make a comeback, we didn't put it all together in those games."
Game four started poorly for Marshall with a service error and three attack errors to give UC a quick 4-0 lead. More errors would follow for the Herd and even though it made a push to within two at 24-26, Cincinnati would roll off six-straight points to force the fifth and deciding game.
Despite the game four loss, Marshall wasn't fazed going into game five. The Herd jumped out to a 9-4 lead with kills from Sanlin, Stephanie Cahill, Billingy and Sims. Cincinnati made a small run, but the Herd would let the Bearcats get no closer than within three points and put the victory away on a kill by Sims.
"We were fortunate to get the win tonight," Jacobs said. "I think in another gym it would've been more difficult, but we were able to pull through on our home floor."
Marshall was led on the night by Billingy's 26 kills. Cahill and Sims followed with 14 and Sanlin joined the double-digit kill party with 10. Cahill had 24 digs on the night for a double-double and Billingy had 13 for the double-feature as well.
Katie Stein had 65 assists on the night along with 18 digs and Maggie Arias dug 18 balls on the night. Bimberg had eight kills on the evening to help spark the Herd off the bench.
With the win, Marshall is 4-1 against Big East opponents on the season.
Maria Pongonis led the 'Cats with 18 kills, followed by Myanna Hellsten with 11 and Custer with 10.
Next up for the Herd will be its first conference match in its new home, C-USA. Marshall will host the UTEP Miners Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Cam Henderson Center.
"We're facing an extremely hot team Friday night so we need to get it together," Jacobs said. "I'm excited about getting to see first-hand what we're up against in C-USA because I believe UTEP and Rice are at the top of the league right now so we'll get to see them up close on our home floor Friday."
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