Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
North Carolina A&T
Volleyball Sweeps North Carolina A&T
9/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 7, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University volleyball team cruised past North Carolina A&T, sweeping the Aggies in three sets (25-10, 25-21, 25-12) on Tuesday afternoon at the Cam Henderson Center.
The victory ups Marshall record to 3-4 overall, while North Carolina A&T falls to 1-4.
Ryanne Milligan produced a spectacular serving display, lacing a career-high seven aces, including a stretch of five in six serves in the first frame. She recorded a solid overall stat line adding nine assists and five digs.
In the opening set, the two teams found themselves tied in the early action, 2-2. The Thundering Herd would then explode on a 7-0 run, including five aces from Milligan, to take control of the stanza. The Aggies would get within five points, 10-5, but could get no closer as MU captured the frame 25-10. In the set four different players recorded two-or-more kills, led by freshman Sacha Byous-McConnell who slammed home three on five attempts.
After hitting a robust .320 (11K-3E-25AT) in the first frame, the Herd offense struggled in the second set. Laura Der was a bright spot tallying six of her match-high 12 kills in the frame. NC A&T kept it close throughout the middle frame, but a kill from Der and ace from Milligan put the game away, 25-21.
The Herd came out with authority in the third frame as Der and Byous-McConnell each collected five kills apiece en route to the team hitting .516 (18K-2E-31TA) to take the final set and the match, 25-12.
The win marked the first victory that lasted only three sets for the Herd this season. MU posted a 2-1 record during the weekend Thunder Invitational Tournament, with all three matches needing a fifth and deciding game to determine a winner.
Der added six digs along with her career-high and match-best 12 kills. Byous-McConnell posted a career-high herself, clubbing nine kills on 15 total attacks (.600 hitting clip) and four block assists.
Sophomore Katy Schad switched from her libero position back to outside hitter for the match and contributed six kills on 12 attacks with no miscues. Freshman Dorothy Rahal stepped into the the vacated libero slot and responded, notching a match and career-high 15 digs for the Herd.
MATCH NOTES: Marshall is now 7-0 all-time vs. NC A&Tââ'¬Â¦Milligan's seven aces are the most in a match since Kelly-Anne Billingy recorded seven against Glenville State (8/28/07).
