Marshall University Athletics
Volleyball Fights Like Hal, Defeats FIU 3-0
9/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.--Marshall volleyball continued its winning streaks, picking up its third consecutive home victory, as well as third consecutive conference victory, with a 3-0 win over FIU (3-12) Sunday to conclude the second annual 'Fight Like Hal' cancer awareness event.
The Herd improves to 8-9, with a 3-0 Conference USA record. Marshall defeated the Panthers in straight sets 25-17, 25-16, 27-25.
The sophomore duo of Ally Kiekover (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Cassie Weaver (Huntington) continued to impress, as each turned in 14 kills. Weaver collected 10 digs, recording her eighth double-double of the season. Kiekover turned in a match-high hitting efficiency of .550, tying her season high, while Weaver recorded her season high with .314 hitting percentage.
"Kiko [Kiekover] was fantastic again today," head coach Mitch Jacobs began. "I'm so proud of the way she stays relentless with her energy. I felt that through set two we really executed our game plan and the scores showed it. Then, after a great start in set three, we sort of went away from what we had been trying to do through it. Credit FIU for forcing us into some mistakes."
"I'm very proud of the way our girls refocused and took care of the ball late in the set to give us the opportunity to win the match," Jacobs continued.
The match began with both teams battling, until the Herd broke away in the opening stanza, winning four of six points and building a five point lead. Marshall continued to push the tempo, going on a four point run in the final moments of set one to grab the game 25-17.
In game 2, the Herd went on a tear, trailing by one point to winning the next 10 of 11 and building a nine point gap at 20-11 that helped to ensure the 25-16 set win.
As Marshall headed into the third set with a 2-0 advantage, the Herd carried its momentum, taking the first seven of eight points. The Panthers climbed their way back into the game, tying the score 11 all and then actually coming ahead of the Herd for the first time in the set.
The teams continued to remain within two points of each other. Freshman Justice Craft (Kentwood, Mich.) delivered a huge kill to present Marshall with the match point at 24-22. FIU then tied the game once more, and the Herd closed out the win with a Weaver kill to take the set 27-25, and the match 3-0.
"We are all very excited for the great start in league play," Jacobs finished. "Now, we need to turn our attention to our Wednesday night opponent and give everything we have to keep the `Golden Ball' in Huntington."
Marshall returns to the court Wednesday, as the Herd faces in-state rival West Virginia (11-4) at 6 p.m. for the `Battle of the Golden Ball'. Marshall has defeated the Mountaineers in 10 of the last 11 meetings.
