Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Western Kentucky
Volleyball Concludes 2014 Home Season
11/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Box Score
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall volleyball, pushed the tempo on Sunday against league foe Western Kentucky, but fell 3-0 to the Hilltoppers to conclude the home 2014 campaign. The Herd lost the first set 25-23, battled in the second game before dropping it 26-24, and then fell in set three 25-17.
Marshall dropped to 14-15 (8-6 C-USA) on the season, while WKU improved to 25-5 (13-1 C-USA).
Junior Lauren Legge (Pliny, W.Va.) recorded a team-best 11 kills, and has now turned in double-digit kills in seven of her last eight matches. Legge and classmate Jillian Shemanski (Jupiter, Fla.) each turned in a three block assists in the contest. Sophomore Elyse Panick (Chicago) fell a kill shy of achieving her seventh double-double of the year, posting 9 slams and 12 digs.
In the opening stanza, Marshall remained within two points of the Hilltoppers for the large portion of the set. A four point run from WKU widened the gap until Marshall went on its own 4-0 rally to catch back up. The set saw a total of nine tied scores before the Hilltoppers snatched the game 25-23.
In the second frame, the Herd picked up the first five of six points before an eight point rally from WKU gave the Hilltoppers the lead at 6-9. WKU went up by as many as seven points and continued to control the set, reaching set point at 24-15.
Under the leadership of lone senior Sammie Bane (Brownstown, Ind.), the Herd exploded with an 8-0 rally, led by Bane's serving game, to eliminate the WKU lead. At 24 all, the Hilltoppers stole the momentum back and took the set 26-24.
Following intermission, Marshall returned to the court and quickly fell behind 5-2, but pressured the WKU game to tie the set at 7 points apiece, and then again at 9-9. WKU turned in five unanswered points to regain control at 13-9, and continued to carry the momentum as they took the set 25-17, and the match 3-0.
The Herd will head out for its final roadtrip of the season, stopping in Houston Friday, Nov.13 at 7 p.m. and then finishing the year at UAB in Birmingham, Ala., on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.
Marshall will play in the Conference USA Tournament for the third consecutive year, beginning Friday, Nov. 21 in Hattiesburg, Miss. Opponent has yet to be determined.
The Herd clinched a spot on Friday evening after a demanding 3-2 win over FAU.
