Marshall University Athletics
@HerdVolleyball Downs Eastern Kentucky, 3-1
9/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall volleyball team downed the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Tuesday, Sept. 1 in the Cam Henderson Center, by a score of 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 15-25, 25-16).
Marshall moves to 4-0, while Eastern Kentucky is now 0-4.
The Thundering Herd came out of the gate strong in the first set, scoring six unanswered points after the Colonels scored the first three. From there, Marshall gained control of the set, winning 25-17. Junior Cassie Weaver (Huntington, W.Va.) led the Herd with eight kills and tied for the lead with four digs with junior Allie Kellerman (Louisville, Ky.).
The second set was more tightly contested in the opening stages. The two squads were tied at 11 until the Herd got a kill from sophomore Taylor Pelton (Louisville, Ky.). From there, Marshall scored four straight points. The Herd went on to win the second set 25-20 and go into the break with the two set advantage. Sophomore Justice Craft (Kentwood, Mich.) had four kills, while Pelton and Weaver each had five.
After EKU took set three 25-15, Marshall jumped out to a 9-3 lead in set four, forcing an EKU timeout. The Colonels were not able to recover after the timeout, allowing Marshall to continue to hold a five-point edge. The Herd pushed the lead to 10-points off of back-to-back kills by Weaver. The lead was too much for EKU, as Marshall ran away with a 25-16 set victory.
Weaver posted a double-double with 22 kills and 15 digs. Weaver's kill total sets a new career high. Leading Marshall in digs was Kellerman, who collected 19. Sophomore Kayla Simmons (Gainesville, Fla.) was dealing, as she recorded 48 assists on the night. Ally Kiekover (Grand Rapids, Mich.) rejected three blocks, all being solo.
Next up for Marshall is the Fairfield Invitational in Fairfield, Conn. The invitational begins on Friday, Sept. 4 and will run through Sept. 5. Marshall will face New Hampshire, Stony Brook and Boston College.
