Herd Volleyball Sweeps UCF, 3-0

Sept. 30, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. - Marshall University senior outside hitter Kelly-Anne Billingy tallied a match-high 16 kills to help lift the Herd to a 3-0 (30-28, 30-23, 30-17) sweep of the University of Central Florida in Sunday afternoon's Conference USA volleyball match at UCF Arena.

With the victory, Marshall wins its fifth consecutive match to improve to 11-7 overall, and wins its fourth straight C-USA match.

UCF falls to 8-10 overall, and remains winless in C-USA play.

"I am really proud that our defense was able to get stronger as the match went on," head coach Mitch Jacobs said following the win. "It was something I was worried about with this team, and we came out a little lethargic and UCF really came out strong and made some good plays."

Leading 2-0 in the match, Marshall jumped out to a 14-8 lead in the third frame behind four kills from Billingy, three from sophomore middle blocker Layne Kehl, and a block assist from freshman middle blocker Kelley Bugler and sophomore outside hitter Kristin Marcum. The Herd scored 10 of the next 15 points and Bugler added a pair or consecutive aces during that span to help extend the lead to 24-13. From there, the Herd used a 6-4 run capped by a Billingy kill to seal the match.

Marshall constructed a 15-10 lead in game two and used a 5-2 run to push its lead to 20-12. From there, the Knights eight of the next 11 points cut the Herd lead to 23-20. Marshall then used two kills by Billingy and one from Marcum and scored four of the next six points to extend its lead to 27-22. Marshall then used an ace by senior libero Maggie Arias and solo block from senior outside hitter Stephanie Cahill to close out game two for the Herd.

"We kept after it and had the opportunity to get going in game two even though our offense wasn't truly as connected today," Jacobs said.

In game one, the Herd used a service ace from Billingy, Cahill, and senior middle hitter Uche Ndubisi to build a 17-12 lead before the Knights used an 8-4 run to pull to within one at 21-20. From there, the Herd built a 28-26 lead before the UCF knotted the game at 28. Marshall then used a UCF net violation and a kill by Marcum to seal the 30-28 victory.

"Cahill had her best blocking match of the season today, at that enables us to do more." Jacobs said of the senior. "I thought the freshmen did a nice job as well. Layne and Bugler played well in the middle."

Freshman setter Elizabeth Fleming tallied 29 assists and Marcum tallied a team-high 11 digs.

The Herd returns to C-USA action with a five-match home-stand starting Friday, Oct. 5 against Tulane. Match time is 7 p.m. ET at the Cam Henderson Center and admission is free.

Marshall will host the 2007 Conference USA Championship on Nov. 15 to the 18^th at the Cam Henderson Center and ticket prices are as follows:

Adult Advance:

$8/Day

$25/Tournament

Adult Walk-up

$10/Day

$30/Tournament

Youth Advance:

$6/Day

$20/Tournament

Youth Walk-up

$8/Day

$25 Walk-up

$15 Tournament Pre-Sale Group Rate (Groups larger than 10)

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Players Mentioned

Maggie Arias

Kelly-Anne Billingy

Kelley Bugler

Stephanie Cahill

Elizabeth Fleming

Layne Kehl

Kristin Marcum

Uche Ndubisi

Marshall University Athletics