Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Middle Tennessee State
Volleyball Grabs Victory in C-USA Home Opener
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Final Stats
Box Score HUNTINGTON, W.Va.-- Marshall volleyball (7-9, 2-0 C-USA) improved to 2-0 in conference play after a five set battle with Middle Tennessee (4-10, 0-1 C-USA) Friday.
The Herd battled the Raiders, falling in the first set 25-21 and the fourth set 25-17, but winning sets two, three, and five by scores of 26-24, 25-20, 15-10.
Sophomore Ally Kiekover (Grand Rapids, Mich.) led the squad for the second straight match, collecting 14 kills and posting a .407 hitting percentage. Fellow sophomore Cassie Weaver (Huntington) recorded 12 kills, and junior Jillian Shemanski (Jupiter, Fla.) posted three solo blocks and three assisted, bringing her season total to 65.
"I'm very proud that we were able to find a way to get the W," head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "Middle Tennessee is a very scary team athletically and forces you to really work around their monster block. Our block coverage tonight was the best it's been all year, and it had to be. We need to work on getting better swings after the covered ball."
"Nice to see Kiko [Kiekover] continue her excellent play offensively; it is a huge boost for us," Jacobs continued. "Jill [Shemanski] had another nice match defensively, getting her hands on so many attacks and making their middles work."
After falling in the opening frame 25-21, Marshall battled with the Raiders in game 2. The set saw a total of 17 tied scores. The Herd went on a three point run late in the game to tie and take the set 26-24.
Marshall carried its momentum into the third stanza, but continued to fight a persistent Middle Tennessee squad. The advantage began with the Raiders at 10-7, but a seven point turnaround from the Herd during a 13-6 run allowed Marshall to take a commanding lead and the set at 25-20. The third game saw a total of 10 tied scores.
Tied at two sets apiece, Marshall regained its intensity in the deciding game. A three point rally, where senior setter Sammie Bane (Brownstown, Ind.) picked up a kill, followed by a Weaver service ace and Raiders error, gave the Herd an advantage.
The momentum continued to stay in favor of the Herd, when junior Lauren Legge (Pliny, W.Va.) slammed a kill over the net to bring the score to 8-5. Bane then led with four more uninterrupted points, bringing the Herd in control 12-5.
"I believe the biggest momentum swing of the night came when Lauren [Legge] stuffed a ball early in set five and got us so pumped and started a big run," Jacobs finished.
Bane turned in a season-high seven kills to coincide with her 40 assists, and Legge collected three kills and a solo block during the contest.
Middle Tennessee was led by Murfreesboro native Chelsea Ross, who collected 27 kills.
Marshall will next face FIU in the conclusion of 'Fight Like Hal' Weekend. The squad will wear special purple jerseys, which can be purchased via a silent auction during the match. Fans who wear purple can receive $1 admission to the event.
