Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
East Carolina
Marshall Spikers Take Conference Opener 3-1 Over ECU
9/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 14, 2006
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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Marshall University's Kelly-Anne Billingy and Stephanie Cahill posted their second double-doubles of the season leading the Thundering Herd (6-6, 1-0 C-USA) to a 3-1 (30-28, 30-26, 23-30, 30-26) victory over the East Carolina Pirates (6-6, 0-1 C-USA) Thursday night.
Billingy produced a match-high 26 kills, hitting a percentage of .320 along with her 10 digs. Cahill's double-double came with 18 kills and 12 digs while hitting .400. Herd setter Christin Bimberg contributed 65 assists, her fifth 40-plus assist match this season.
The Herd has won five of its past six matches and this was the first Conference USA match of the season for both teams. Marshall head coach Mitch Jacobs said the victory was an important one.
"Anytime you can get one on the road it's a big night," Jacobs said. "We showed a lot of heart tonight to fight back and push through."
Including Billingy and Cahill, four players obtained double digit kills for the Herd. Joining joining the two outside hitters were juniors Chelsea Lazar with 12 and Uche Ndubisi with 10 and a match-best .444 attack percentage. Ndubisi also added her 48th block on the season, a conference-best.
On the defensive side for the Herd was libero Maggie Arias. She recorded 12 digs, her 10th match she of the season with 10 or more. Jacobs said the East Carolina offense really tested the Herd.
"ECU has an excellent offense and we had a tough time defending it," he said. "But it was fun to watch us fight and scrap to come back there in game four to take the match."
Marshall will continue play in the East Carolina Classic again Friday at 5 p.m. against Grambling State and finally wrapping up play on Saturday at 10 a.m. facing Wisconsin - Green Bay.
