Marshall University Athletics
Volleyball Opens Conference USA Action on Saturday
9/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University volleyball team will play its first Conference USA match of the season when the East Carolina Pirates travel to the Cam Henderson Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. It marks the first conference match of the season for both squads.
MU owns an 8-1 record all-time against the Pirates. The two teams split the season series in 2008, with each team winning on their home court. MU's lone series loss came in Greenville, N.C., Sept. 18, last season as ECU won in four sets.
ECU enters the match with a 5-5 overall record and winners of three-of-four at the Lady Rams Invitational in Winston Salem, N.C. The Pirates defeated Winston-Salem State, UNC Ashville and Savannah State. Junior middle hitter Lizzy Bruin earned all-tournament team accolades, hitting at a .387 attacking efficiency and tallying 39 kills.
Senior outside hitter Stephanie Turner tops the Pirates in kills (99) and average sets per set (2.91). ECU has two players that average more than two digs per set in Turner (2.32) and Katie Prast (2.21), while the team ranks first in C-USA in service aces-per-set (1.83).
The Herd (11-2) enters the conference-opener, coming off a 3-1 comeback victory at Morehead State on Tuesday. MU has played nine straight road games, posting a 7-2 record, competing in the High Point University Classic, Carolina Classic and three non-conference tilts. The last home game for the Herd was on Sept. 2, in a three-game sweep of in-state opponent, Charleston.
Junior Elizabeth Fleming and senior Kristin Marcum have led the squad in double-doubles, recording six and five, respectively. Fleming's 11.27 assists-per-set is the top average and senior Emily Sullivan ranks second in attacking percentage, hitting at a .391 (128K-28E-256TA) in C-USA this season.
The Herd will be putting on a special promotion - all fans that come to the volleyball game will receive a $7 coupon off an end zone ticket for the MU vs. Bowling Green football game, slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. All fans are eligible for this prize.
GameTracker will be available for the match by logging onto www.HerdZone.com.
