Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Notre Dame
Volleyball Falls in Four Sets to Notre Dame
8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2010
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Elizabeth Fleming dished out 42 helpers to surpass the 4,000 assist plateau for her career, but the Marshall University volleyball team dropped the season opener in the Shamrock Invitational, 3-1 (26-24, 15-25, 21-25 and 25-18) on Friday night at the Joyce Center.
MU (0-1) received a standout performance from Kelley Bugler on the offensive side. The junior middle blocker posted a career-high 11 kills, but Notre Dame (1-0) registered a .281 hitting percentage as a team to earn the four-set victory.
In the opening set of the season, the Thundering Herd and Fighting Irish needed extra points to claim a winner. After falling behind early, 5-2, Bugler slammed home three-straight kills to help take a 7-6 advantage.
"We came out hyped and really energized in the first set," said head coach Mitch Jacobs. "It was a tight match and both teams played well. Defensively we already look much better than we did last year. In the first set we dug 22 balls and I was really happy with the effort."
The score featured nine ties the rest of the set, including an even score at 24-all. Following a timeout by Jacobs, Bugler continued her dominance, as the Kansas City, Mo., native connected for her eighth kill of the stanza to own a one-point cushion. On the next play, Notre Dame suffered an attacking error as the Herd captured the set, 26-24.
"It was a great start for Kelley tonight," Jacobs said. "Notre Dame made some adjustments on her so we made some moves and Abby Tomas came in and played well.
"Everyone is playing different positions in our rotation from last season besides Liz Fleming," Jacobs said. "We are putting a lot of people in different situations and it is going to make us stronger in the long run."
Trailing 14-6 in the second frame, Fleming, who dished out 14 helpers in the first set, tallied her second assist when she set up middle blocker Cameron Yoho for a kill. The assist marked an important milestone in her Marshall career, as the senior, whose hometown is South Bend, Ind., recorded her 4,000-career assist as a member of the Herd. Fleming is just the third player in MU volleyball history to surpass this milestone.
Unfortunately the tides turned for the Herd in the second frame, as Notre Dame built an early lead that became insurmountable. The Fighting Irish took the set, 25-15. After smashing 16 kills in the first frame, the Herd managed just five kills in set two, hitting at a .074 percentage.
ND continued on its success from the second frame into the third. The tournament-host jumped out, 11-3, forcing a timeout from the Herd. After the stoppage of play, the Fighting Irish offense kept the pressure on. MU fell behind 24-16, but rallied to score five-consecutive points including a kill and service ace from freshman Desirre Wilkerson. Back within three points, ND shut the door on the third stanza when Hilary Eppink notched the set-winning kill, 25-21.
The Herd played their best defense of the night in the fourth set, holding the Fighting Irish to a .175 hitting clip. Unfortunately, Notre Dame was able to make fewer mistakes and take the set and the match with a 25-18 victory.
"I really like what we are doing and the team had a great attitude tonight," Jacobs said. "We played a tough team on their home court on opening night in front of a big crowd. You have to give Notre Dame credit, they passed the ball fantastic and they took advantage."
Senior Elizabeth Herman tallied a team-best 15 kills in the loss. Freshman Laura Der recorded a match medalist 20 digs in her first collegiate match, while sophomores Ryanne Milligan and Katy Schad chipped in with 16 and 15 digs, respectively.
ND's Kellie Sciacca was a force in the middle totaling 21 kills, while four players reached double digits in digs for the Fighting Irish.
The Herd plays a doubleheader Saturday against Cal Poly and Arizona. MU is slated to take on the Mustangs at noon and the Wildcats at 5 p.m. to conclude tournament play. GameTracker is available for all matches at HerdZone.com.
MATCH NOTES:Fleming is the third MU player to reach 4,000 assistsââ'¬Â¦Katie Stein (2002-05) with 5,888 assists and Nicole Frizzo (1996-99) 5,344 assists are the othersââ'¬Â¦Bugler's previous career-high in kills was six vs. Indiana (9/7/07)ââ'¬Â¦three freshmen made their collegiate debuts: Sacha Byous-McConnell, Der and Wilkersonââ'¬Â¦MU is now 17-22 all-time in season opening matches.
