Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UAB
Marshall Volleyball Defeats UAB, 3-2
10/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2006
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HUNTINGTON - The Marshall University Thundering Herd volleyball team picked up a five game win (26-30, 30-25, 24-30, 30-26, 15-12) over the UAB Blazers Sunday at the Cam Henderson Center.
The two teams traded wins in games one through four but in the fifth Marshall (13-8, 5-2 C-USA) stepped up with some critical net defense to seal the victory. Chelsea Lazar produced two back-to-back solo blocks to give the Herd a four point cushion at 6-2. Marshall head coach Mitch Jacobs said Lazar's play was crucial.
"She (Lazar) is the most alert player we have on the court all the time," he said. "When she executes them over and over again it's just special. That was just incredible in game five."
However, the Blazers (14-7, 2-4 C-USA) would not go quietly and rallied to tie the decisive game at 10.
Kelly-Anne Billingy went on to drive home two of her match-best 32 kills giving the Herd the lead once again. A Blazer attack error combined with a Lazar kill setup match point where Billingy and Lazar teamed up to block the match winner.
"It was great to get the win especially after going down 2-1," Billingy said. "We got down on ourselves a little big but we picked the energy and intensity up and it all fell into place. To come out and play hard in games four and five was major."
Billingy tied a season-best with her 32 kills and secured her fifth double-double of the year with 15 digs and five blocks.
Billingy, the NCAA leader in kills per game, said after the match that her kill total was not her primary concern.
"It really doesn't matter we got the `W' at the end of the day," she said.
The net duo of Uche Ndubisi and Lazar were the only other Herd players with double digit kills. The two produced 23 kills and 12 blocks. Ndubisi and Lazar also boasted hitting percentages of .360 and .391, respectively.
Jacobs said the net defense really came through to halt UAB's offensive scheme.
"Well they swing and that is what makes them a very good team," he said. They pass the ball and have some very refined attackers. That's what gives us struggles if we aren't blocking like we did tonight then it could have been a very short night in the other direction."
The Herd's floor defense had four players with 14 or more digs. Maggie Arias and Kristin Marcum recorded the team-high with 16, Billingy posted 15 and Stephanie Cahill contributed with 14.
The victory improved the Herd to 5-2 in Conference USA play with a two-match weekend road trip on the horizon. Marshall's next match will be on Friday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m., when the Herd will visit the UCF Golden Knights.
