Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Charlotte
@HerdVolleyball Wins C-USA Opener with Sweep of Charlotte
9/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall volleyball team opened Conference USA play with its eighth sweep in its last nine matches, defeating the Charlotte 49ers, 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-15), Friday night at the Cam Henderson Center.
Leading the way for the Herd was Madison Hill with 10 kills, six total blocks and a .533 hitting percentage. Cassie Weaver added nine kills and seven digs and Ally Kiekover tallied seven kills on a .636 hitting percentage. Madelyn Cole had 22 assists and Allie Kellerman had 26 digs for the Herd.
The Herd and 49ers started the first set slow, with neither team able to separate from the other. After being tied at four, Marshall took five of the next six points to gain a 9-5 advantage. Cassie Weaver had kills on three of the five points. Charlotte was able to cut the Herd lead to 11-8, but Marshall went on a three point run on the strength of two 49er attack errors and a Weaver service ace, forcing Charlotte to call a timeout. Charlotte came within five points of the Herd for the remainder of the set, as a Madison Hill kill clinched a 25-17 opening set win.
Charlotte started the second set by taking six of the first eight points, forcing Marshall to call a timeout. The Herd responded by tying the set at seven on the strength of two kills by Hill. The teams continued to keep the match close, with neither side holding more than a three-point lead until two more kills by Hill forced the 49ers to take a timeout. Marshall took eight of the last 12 points to win the second set, 25-19, and take a 2-0 lead in the match. Hill had six kills in the set.
The Herd came out of the intermission hot, winning eight of the first 11 points of the third set, forcing Charlotte to call a timeout. The 49ers managed to cut the Herd lead to 14-10, but Marshall responded by winning four consecutive points, forcing Charlotte to call its final timeout. The Herd closed out the match with two kills by Jac'cara Walker to win the third set, 25-15, and sweep its eighth match in its last nine.
COACH'S CORNER
Quotes by head coach Mitch Jacobs
On the match...
We were a bit disappointed with our energy in the first set, but in set two we picked it up both defensively and on the attack. Allie Kellerman was phenomenal tonight, she was being a leader and was all over the place.
On Freshman Madison Hill...
She is very expectant of herself. There's times where she's on a different level and tonight she was great on the block. She has had a great freshman year so far, we have a long way to go, but we are happy on where she is.
On the team effort...
I love our depth and the comradery this team has together. If the starters and leaders aren't showing energy, we have plenty of people who will give it their all.
UP NEXT
Marshall returns to the Cam Henderson Center for a meeting with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Sunday at 1 p.m.
