Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Rice
Volleyball Defeated 3-1 Against Rice
10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W.VA. - The Marshall volleyball program fell in the first of two matches scheduled for the weekend against the Rice Owls. The Owls were able to push past the Herd 3-1 (25-16, 25-18, 22-25, 25-17).
Coach Jacob's team falls to 3-13 and 2-4 in Conference USA play after the loss and Rice improves to 9-8, with a 4-2 C-USA standing.
Marshall's top two hitters, Cameron Yoho and Abby Tomas, led the way again in the kills categories after the conclusion of the match. Tomas recorded a team-high 13 kills and Yoho followed closely with 12. Sammie Bane tallied 45 assists at her setter role and also recorded her fourth double-double of the season after tallying 11 digs to go with the 45 set-ups. Ryanne Milligan racked up the most digs at the libero position with 20 and Dorothy Rahal posted 11. Rahal also finished the day with five kills and a service ace.
At the start of the match, Marshall was never able to establish a lead during the first set and Rice's .394 attack average helped the Owls take home the first game 25-16. Marshall beat themselves in the second set after averaging 0.00 in team attack percentage after tallying eight kills and eight errors off of 34 swings.
The Herd picked things up in the third set and combined for the most positive numbers of the match. Marshall finished with 18 kills in the game, compared to Rice's 13, and the Herd averaged a season-best .485 attack percentage (18 kills, 2 errors, 33 attempts) to put the team back in the match with a 25-22 win.
With the match on the line, Rice stepped up and closed out the competition, despite a six kill effort from Yoho in the fourth set. The Herd was never able to get back into the set after a tie game at 5-5 and the Owls ran away with it in the end 25-17.
Rice's high powered offensive performance proved to be the difference in the match. The Owls averaged .320 team attack percentage through for four sets and was able to tally 56 kills and only 14 errors off 131 attempts. Rice also finished with 8.0 blocks (1 solo, 14 assists), compared to Marshall's 5.0 (1 solo, 8 assists) and forced the Herd to commit 21 attack errors.
Marshall will look for redemption in the second scheduled match against Rice tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. The game can be followed through GameTracker at this link and can be listened to through WMUL Radio through this link. Remember fans to wear pink to the match for "Dig for a Cure" and get your ticket discounted to $1.
