Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Volleyball Drops Season Opener to No. 24 Michigan
8/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall volleyball program opened up the 2011 season Friday afternoon against the No. 24 ranked Michigan and finished with a 3-0 loss (22-25, 11-25, 24-26). The match was the first of two games scheduled in the Morehead State University Volleyball Tournament.
Marshall (0-1) was led by sophomore outside hitter, Laura Der, as she combined for 10 kills, seven of which came in the third set. True freshman, Sammie Bane, made her first career start for the Herd at the setter position and posted 20 assists and 10 digs throughout the three sets.
Defensively, Dorthy Rahal tied with Bane for first on the team in digs with 10 and Desirre Wilkerson ended the match with a total of four blocks. Sacha Byous-McConnell was also a force at the net after tallying six kills, a solo block and two block assists.
Michigan had two players go into double digits in kills. Alex Hunt ended with 11 kills and her teammate, Lexi Erwin, combined for ten. Michigan's setter, Lexi Dannemiller, finished with 20 assists and the libero, Sloane Donhoff, finished with 16 digs.
The first set came down to a tight finish. Marshall only trailed by one point near the finish before Michigan earned the final three points to win 25-22. Using the momentum from the first set, the Wolverines utilized an overall .333 attack percentage to beat Marshall 11-25 in the second set.
Marshall averaged a .400 attack percentage in the third set, which was the best by either side in the match. The Herd established a lead early in the set and held on all the way to the set point at 24-20, but Michigan rallied to score the final six points and knock off the Herd, 26-24.
"We are disappointed for not finishing set three and getting to extend the match," commented Coach Jacobs after the match. "However, I feel good about most of what we saw on day one. Set one was a fantastic set with both teams playing quite well for opening the season."
Coach Jacobs went on to say, "A couple of players for us are learning some new positions and of course we have a new setting situation. This team has a long road ahead, but if we are going to compete as hard as we did today every night, it's going to be a fun season."
Marshall is back in action tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 p.m. ET as they take on tournament hosts, Morehead State University.
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