Marshall University Athletics
@HerdVolleyball Drops Five-Set Scrimmage against Eastern Kentucky
8/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Box Score (PDF)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall volleyball wrapped up its 2017 preseason schedule with a five-set scrimmage loss against the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels at the Cam Henderson on Friday night.
"A few things happened tonight that made the scrimmage very worthwhile," head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "First, we were able to play different groups on the court to see how they would compete together. I was able to get some really important questions answered. Second, I was able to get a lot of time on the court for the younger players to help them get through those early jitters, and we all saw the great potential of Addisyn Rowe, Amber Weber and Jessa Long. The last thing that we all saw was that for the first time in a long time I watch our opponent compete harder than our team on our home court. And that cannot and will not happen again."
Sophomore Jac'cara Walker led the Thundering Herd with 11 kills, while senior Taylor Pelton also registered double-digit kills with 10. Freshman Addisyn Rowe and sophomore Madison Hill finished with eight and seven kills, respectively. Sophomore Madelyn Cole dished out 30 assists and sophomore Amber Weber led with 15 digs. Freshman Jessa Long registered 12 digs.
Marshall jumped out to an early 7-3 lead following a kill from Walker. The Herd went on to grow its lead to five at the 18-13 mark, as senior Justice Craft and Cole combined for an assist. After a kill by Pelton to make it 20-15, the Thundering Herd went on to take the next five points to close out the set, 25-15.
Marshall took an early lead in the second set, but EKU rallied to tie it at five. From there, the Colonels took control of the set and built a 17-10 lead. The Herd brought the score back within three points, but Eastern Kentucky held on to its lead and won the set, 25-19.
The Thundering Herd came out strong in the third set and dominated to a 25-13 victory. The frame started by neither team gaining an edge, but Marshall pulled away by earning a five-point rally to make the score, 13-6. The Herd then improved its lead 19-8 after claiming another five points in a row. Redshirt freshman Tiffany Isaacs clinched the set with a kill.
Eastern Kentucky pushed the match to the deciding set after clinching a 25-23 win in set four. The Herd and Colonels were tied at seven, but EKU was able to pull away and gain an 18-13 lead. Marshall closed the gap and trailed by one point, but a kill by Kaylin Johnson sealed the set win for EKU.
Eastern Kentucky kept its momentum from the fourth set win into the tiebreaking set, as it took a 5-1 lead over the Herd. The Colonels pushed its lead to 12-7 and then eventually won the set, 15-10.
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Marshall's regular season begins on Friday, Aug. 25 at the Austin Peay Tournament in Clarksville, Tenn. The Herd will compete against No. 19 Missouri, Austin Peay and UMKC.
