Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Charleston, WVa.
Volleyball Sweeps Charleston in Home-Opener
9/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall volleyball team opened its home schedule with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-10, 25-21) sweep of in-state opponent, Charleston, in a non-conference match on Wednesday evening in the Cam Henderson Center. The win ups the Herd's record to 4-0 on the year, while the Golden Eagles fall to 0-5.
MU hit at an impressive .433 attacking percentage (48K-9E-90TA), including a match-best .516 percent in the third and final set.
"Offensively we were pretty good tonight," head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "As a team we let up in the beginning of the third set, but did a great job finishing at the end."
In the first set of the match, Kristin Marcum let the squad with six of her team-high 13 kills. After a kill by Charleston's Malleri Hardison, to slim the Herd lead to four points, 18-14, Marshall used its first timeout of the match. Following the break from action, MU utilized a 7-2 surge to take the set, 25-16.
The second set featured the Herd's defensive prowess. The team totaled 13 digs and four total blocks, while holding the Golden Eagles to a -.192 attacking percentage, earning a 25-10 second set victory.
Charleston trailed 2-0 heading into the third set and mounted a comeback to make for a challenging third set for the Herd. The MU advantage reached its highest of the set, 19-14, when teammates Susan Waldie and Abby Tomas combine on a block of Tanya Ferguson's attack, forcing a Charleston timeout. The Golden Eagles fought back in the set, knotting the score at 20-all. The Herd closed out the match on a 5-1 run, as Marcum lined a service ace to end the set and the match.
"Susan and Abby are gaining confidence in practice, and it showed on the court tonight," Jacobs said. "Abby served great all night, and our middles did an outstanding job getting the ball to Fleming, which made a big difference, especially in set two."
Marcum led the Herd offensive, tying for the match-high of 13 kills on the night. Katy Schad added nine kills and nine digs, while Emily Sullivan chipped in with eight kills and three block assists of her own.
Cameron Yoho connected on nine of 10 attacking attempts to hit an outstanding .900 attacking percentage and Elizabeth Fleming dished out a match-best 40 assists and contributed eight digs on the night.
Charleston was led by Malleri Hardison with 13 kills and received a match-high 14 digs from Ashlea Wallace.
"Charleston played a fantastic game against us and it was important for the team to see that," Jacobs said. "Every match we need to get a little better. Our focus is now on Davidson."
Next on the schedule for MU is Davidson on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 4:30 p.m. in the first of three matches of the High Point University Classic in High Point, N.C.
