Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Wright State
Volleyball Outlasts Wright State, 3-2
8/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2008
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Marshall University's Emily Sullivan notched a match-high and career-best 20 kills and Kristin Marcum dug a match-best 23 balls to pace the Thundering Herd to a 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-10) victory over Wright State in Saturday morning's non-conference volleyball match at Fifth Third Arena.
With the win Marshall improves to 2-0 overall, while Wright State falls to 0-2 on the season. The win marks the first time since the 2004 season that the Herd has won its first two matches to open a campaign.
"It was good to pull together," head coach Mitch Jacobs said following the match. "Wright State did a good job of shutting down a lot of things that we like to do. They were all over Jalicia [Ross] early. We were able to adjust and move things around, and were able to play very well in sets two and three."
With the match even at two sets apiece, Marshall took a 5-2 lead early in the deciding frame. Wright State fought to within one at 6-5, but could not get closer than that, as the Herd scored nine of the next 14 points to seal its second victory of the season. The set was highlighted by three kills from Marcum, and a pair of kills from Sullivan.
After dropping the first set, 25-20, Marshall took the next two sets to post a 2-1 lead in the contest. The Herd's second stanza showcased an impressive display of defense as freshman Megan Carlson provided a pair of solo blocks, while Sullivan and sophomore Kelley Bugler teamed for a block. Leading the set 24-21, sophomore Elizabeth Fleming, senior Jalicia Ross and Marcum combined to shut down a Wright State attack to seal the second frame. Marshall totaled 11.5 blocks in the match.
"We blocked pretty well and played some good floor defense," Jacobs added. "We were averaging almost 20 digs through the first four sets but the 15-point fifth set takes away a bit from that average."
The teams battled to a 13-13 stalemate in the third set before Marshall opened up a five-point advantage at 18-13. Wright State fought back but could not closer than four points, as the Herd took a 25-19 decision in third stanza.
Leading the contest 2-1, Marshall surged to a 7-3 lead in the fourth set before Wright State scored 12 of the next 20 points to even the frame at 15-15. The teams would tie twice more before a pair of kills Lexi Leonhard preserved the Raider victory in the fourth frame.
"It was good to see this team play five games," Jacobs added. "You have to give Wright State a lot of credit for making us work for this victory."
Marcum finished with 14 kills in the contest, while Carlson and Fleming provided 15 and 16 digs respectively. Freshman Jessica Dhoore was also a force in the match, digging 20 balls for the Herd. Ross chipped in with nine kills and five assisted blocks while Fleming and Marcum each assisted on three occasions. Fleming also provided 51 assists to complete her first double-double of the season.
The Raiders had four players notch double-digit digs, while Leonhard and Jessica Woods totaled 14 kills apiece. Shaunda Sandifer chipped in 11 kills, while Tina Paunicka dished out 35 helpers in the losing effort for Wright State. The Herd completes State Farm Bearcats Invitational action Sunday against tournament host Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 31. First-serve is set for 12:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank Arena.
