Marshall University Athletics
@HerdVolleyball Heads South to UAB Friday
10/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. ââ'¬" Marshall volleyball travels to UAB for a Conference USA showdown, as the Herd looks to get back on track when it takes on the Blazers on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
LAST MEETING: MARSHALL 3, UAB 1
The Herd and Blazers met earlier this month (Oct. 9) in a conference matinee. Marshall took the first two sets with ease and after a hiccup in the third, the Herd dominated play in the fourth to clinch the 3-1 victory. Cassie Weaver (Huntington, W.Va.) and Ally Kiekover (Grand Rapids, Mich.) led the way with 16 kills each, while Weaver and Allie Kellerman (Louisville, Ky.) had 16 digs each.
HAVE YOU HERD?
Senior Ashley Arnold (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) set a new career high last Friday at Charlotte with eight total blocks in a match. The middle blocker has recorded 38 blocks this season in only 45 sets played.
Marshall's middle blocker, Kiekover, has been one of the most efficient hitters this season for the Herd. In Conference USA play, Kiekover is hitting at a .410 percentage, first in the league.
WHERE THEY RANK
Four members of the Herd rank among the top 50 in the nation according to the NCAA (Oct. 25). Ranking the highest is Kellerman, with her 454 digs that place her 19th. Following Kellerman is Kiekover, who ranks 25th in hitting percentage (.400). Weaver sits 30th in total attacks with 967 and just five places shy of joining the top 50 in total kills with 330. Rounding out the group is Kayla Simmons (Gainesville, Fla.) with 899 assists, good for 39th in the nation.
As a team, Marshall ranks in four different categories in the top 50. The Herd ranks 18th in total attacks, 23rd in kills, 24th in digs and 31st in assists.
SCOUTING THE BLAZERS
UAB enters Friday's match with an 8-18 record (0-11 C-USA). This past weekend, the Blazers fell to No. 22 WKU and Southern Miss in three sets. UAB is on a three-game losing streak with its last win coming against in-state rival Alabama A&M on Oct. 13.
Leading the way on offense for the Blazers is Gabby Deshotel, with 403 kills. Deshotel averages 4.29 kills per set, good for third in Conference USA. On the defensive side of the ball, Emma Schroer leads UAB with 411 digs, fifth in C-USA.
UAB is a threat from the service line, as it leads the conference in service aces with 145, but sits second in serves per set with 1.54.
UP NEXT
The Herd wraps up its home schedule when it welcomes Southern Miss on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. and then Rice on Sunday at 1 p.m. Marshall will be honoring and thanking its seniors for their years of dedication to the volleyball program on Friday.
