Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Virginia Tech
@HerdVolleyball Drops Two on Saturday
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
UNCW-Marshall Box | Marshall-VT Box
BLACKSBURG, Va.- Marshall volleyball (5-9) dropped both of its matches Saturday in the Hokie Invitational as the Herd concluded its regular season tournament slate.
The Herd fell in its first match to UNCW (10-4) by scores of 26-24, 25-21, 25-21 and battled against Virginia Tech (7-6), but came up short after scores of 25-17, 25-21, 25-23.
Sophomore Cassie Weaver (Huntington) became the fifth member of the Herd to receive all-tournament honors; the outside hitter collected 27 kills, 39 digs, and two assisted blocks during the tournament.
Weaver led the squad with eight kills and 18 digs in match one, and picked up another 10 kills and 7 digs in the evening showdown. Freshman Taylor Pelton (Louisville, Ky.) collected six kills and a solo block during the UNCW match, and junior Lauren Legge (Pliny, W.Va.) recorded eight kills, a solo block, and two block assists against VT.
"Tonight was pretty sloppy," head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "Defensively, we really worked hard. I'm proud of the effort we put forth. But we have to execute if we are going to break through. This weekend, our offense was non-existent and we have to figure some things out."
The Herd began strong in the opening stanza with the Seahawks, battling from a four point deficit to take a two point lead. UNCW then took four of the next six volleys, snatching the lead once more and taking the set 26-24.
With the 1-0 advantage, the Seahawks remained in control of the second game. UNCW led by as much as six points during the set, but Marshall climbed back to come within three before falling 25-21. Weaver collected six kills during the set, including back-to-back slams during a Herd three point run.
UNCW continued with its momentum coming out of intermission, taking an 5-0 lead on the Herd to begin the third set. Down 11-5, the Herd went on a four point run to come within two of the Seahawks. Marshall continued to apply pressure, rallying with three straight points to bring the score to 21-19 before a UNCW timeout welcomed three Seahawk points and a 25-21 victory.
In the evening showdown with Virginia Tech, Marshall came out firing, earning the first three of four points of the match. The Hokies then took four straight and continued to pressure the Herd, going on an eight point rally at one point and eventually take the first stanza 25-17.
Marshall started the second set, picking up the first two points of the game. The Herd then fell behind, but climbed from a four point deficit to take the lead back at 20-19. The squads continued to battle, going through five tied scores before VT went on a six point rally to take game 2 on a 25-21 decision.
Trailing 2-0 in the match, Marshall remained within one point of the Hokies. At the 7-7 mark, the Herd snatched five of the next six points and took the lead. But the Tech pattern of late set rallies resurfaced, as the Hokies took five straight to regain control of the game and take the set 25-23 and thus the match 3-0. The third game saw a total of 13 tied scores.
The Herd returns to the court Tuesday, Sept. 23 when the team begins conference play, traveling to Charlotte (11-6) for a 7 p.m. match against the 49ers.
