Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Arizona
No. 18 Arizona Sweeps Volleyball
8/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2010
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Marshall University volleyball team fell victim to a 3-0 (21-25, 20-25 and 17-25) sweep against No. 18 Arizona in the Thundering Herd's final match of the Shamrock Invitational on Saturday afternoon.
"We geared up this season to play the hardest schedule we were capable of setting up," head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "No one likes to be 0-3, but we learned what we need to work on for our tournament next weekend."
The first frame of the match featured six ties in the early goings, as the game was deadlocked at 12-12. The Wildcats used a 5-0 spurt to take control of the frame at 17-12. MU (0-3) cut the deficit to two points, 23-21, but could get no closer as Arizona (1-1) took the first stanza, 25-21.
The Herd held command for most of the second set, leading 19-16 after a kill from Elizabeth Herman. With the score tied at 20-all, the Wildcats broke away by tallying the next five points, to hold a 2-0 advantage in the match.
In the third set, MU trailed 12-10 before Elizabeth Fleming recorded a kill, set up Kelley Bugler - followed by Fleming collecting a service ace to own a 13-12 lead. Arizona would then flex its muscles to the tune of a 13-4 run to earn the 3-0 sweep of the match.
"The teams we played this weekend are unforgiving with regards to taking advantage of mistakes," Jacobs said. "As a team we need to rise up and keep teams from having seven or eight point runs against us.
It is a matter of sustained intensity that we have to work on next week. I know the team is buying into what we are trying to do and it's been fun coaching these guys. We just need to keep moving forward and prepare for our tournament.
Herman and Abby Tomas each led the Herd with eight kills apiece, while Laura Der notched nine digs in the loss.
Fleming was named to the Shamrock Invitational All-Tournament Team as the South Bend, Ind., native racked up 30-or-more assists in all three matches.
MU is off until Friday, Sept. 3rd when the Herd hosts the Thundering Invitational Tourney.
