Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Memphis
Volleyball Sweeps Memphis, 3-0
10/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 11, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Marshall University volleyball team swept Memphis, 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-20) in a Conference USA match on Sunday afternoon at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
The win ups Marshall's record to 16-4 overall and 4-2 in C-USA play, while the Tigers drop to 4-17, 1-6 in the conference.
"I am so proud of the team and their efforts, especially after what we went through this week dealing with illness," head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "We are very thankful that the coaches and administrators at Memphis would push the match back due to the team's flu like symptoms"
In the opening set of the match, the Thundering Herd fell behind early, before tying the score at 4-all on a block by Kelley Bugler and Elizabeth Herman. MU would use a 4-0 spurt, capped off by a block from Emily Sullivan and Bugler to own an 8-4 advantage.
Later in the set, Sullivan connected for a kill to extend the advantage to seven points, 20-13. After the Tigers scored three-straight points to cut the deficit to 24-19, MU called a timeout. Elizabeth Fleming set up Kristin Marcum for a kill and the win in the first frame.
The score was even at 5-all in the second set, when Memphis went on a 6-0 run to own an 11-5 advantage against the Herd. MU would trail in the match until Sullivan tallied a kill to knot the score at 17. Following a timeout by head coach Mitch Jacobs, Herman nailed a kill and Marcum registered an ace to take the set, 25-22, and own a 2-0 lead heading into the third set.
The Herd fell behind early in the third frame, but fought back to hold a three point lead, 14-11, after Abby Tomas registered a kill. The Tigers rallied and knotted the game at 18-all, before MU pulled away with a 7-2 run to win the set and the match.
Sullivan, who moved from middle blocker to outside hitter, recorded 14 kills on 26 attempts, with two errors to hit at a .462 attacking percentage. She added nine digs and three block assists in the victory.
Bugler made her first start of the season at middle blocker and responded with seven block assists and five kills on eight attempts for a .625 attacking percentage.
"It is a big testament to Kelley for staying ready and playing hard," Jacobs said. "She took her opportunity and ran with it today and we will have to look into giving her even more playing time."
Katy Schad made her first start at libero and totaled a match-high 16 digs. Marcum chipped in with nine kills and six digs, while Fleming and Ryanne Milligan dished out 19 and 14 assists, respectively.
Memphis was led on offense by Altrese Hawkins with 13 kills and hit at a .435 clip. Marija Jovanovic had a balanced attack for the Tigers with nine digs, eight kills and three service aces.
"It took a lot of unselfishness and team communication to earn the victory and we are feeling really good about our effort today," Jacobs said.
Next on the schedule for the Herd is a home match against Tulane on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
