Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Florida International
@HerdVolleyball Falls To FIU, 3-1
10/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MIAMI - Marshall volleyball dropped a 3-1 (17-25, 24-26, 25-20, 18-25) decision to Conference USA foe FIU Friday evening.
The Thundering Herd falls to 11-6 (2-2 C-USA), while the Panthers improved to 9-6 (3-2 C-USA).
Leading the way for the Herd was junior Cassie Weaver (Huntington, W.Va.), who tallied 21 kills and 10 digs for her 10th double-double of the season. Sophomore Taylor Pelton (Louisville, Ky.) and senior Lauren Legge (Pliny, W.Va.) followed Weaver with 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Sophomore setter Kayla Simmons (Gainesville, Fla.) had 45 assists, while junior libero Allie Kellerman (Louisville, Ky.) recorded 23 digs.
The match opened up with back-and-forth action in the first set. After a tied set at 10, FIU pulled away as it took a 17-12 lead. The Panthers went on to close out the first set, 25-17.
Marshall looked stronger in the second set as it held a 14-11 edge that forced a FIU timeout. Coming out of the stoppage, the Panthers went on a three point run to tie the set. From there, the two squads battled with the largest lead being held was three points by FIU. The Herd mounted a comeback from being down 23-20 to give itself a set-point situation. With the advantage in hand, Marshall dropped the chance as FIU tied the set at 24 and then took the following two points to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Marshall came out swinging in set three by claiming a 10-4 lead, including a seven-point run and two service aces from freshman Kassidy Lemons (Prichard, W.Va.). The Herd kept the pressure on and only allowed FIU to get within four points. Marshall took the third set, 25-20.
Similar to the Herd in the third set, FIU leaped out to an early lead and held on to it throughout the whole set en route to a four-set victory over Marshall.
Junior Ally Kiekover (Grand Rapids, Mich.) finished the match with eight kills, which surpassed the 750 kill milestone to give her 755 in her Herd career.
COACH'S CORNER
Quotes from Herd coach Mitch Jacobs
On tonight's match:
"Tonight we ran into a very hot team and I thought we didn't match their energy or intensity until set three. Then FIU played a great set four and we weren't able to maintain the level we were at in set three."
On the team's outlook
"I'm very disappointed and so are they that we didn't bring the energy we know we needed and we will work on being better prepared. However, I'm not upset with the way we are playing as a whole. This is a great group with such a positive outlook. I know we can rebound from anything with this team."
UP NEXT
The Herd will be back in action on Sunday against Florida Atlantic for a noon start.
