Volleyball Powers its way to win over Charlotte

Final Box Score (PDF)
Marshall Postgame Quotes (PDF)
Postgame Press Conference Video: Coach Aganus | Ciara Debell | Macy McElhaney

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall volleyball team came out victorious in its home and Conference USA-opener against the Charlotte 49ers on Sunday, 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 16-25, 25-23). The two teams meet again on Monday at 1 p.m. in the Cam Henderson Center.

Marshall improves to 2-0 and 1-0 in league play. The 49ers fall to 2-2 and 0-1 in conference.

"Charlotte is an amazing team," Herd head coach Ari Aganus said. "You get up 2-0 and get comfortable. To sweep any team in Conference USA, it's hard. We take it with pride. Tomorrow is going to be really hard; we can't get too comfortable. We need to go 2-0 every weekend. It's a learning lesson. It's all just a part of the process."

Redshirt senior Ciara Debell led the way on offense with 16 kills, including six in the fourth and final set. Debell hit at a .341 clip for the match, added 15 digs and two blocks. Junior Macy McElhaney had a great match in the middle with 15 kills and a hitting percentage of .500. McElhaney contributed seven total blocks on defense in the win. Fellow middle, senior Destiny Leon had six kills with a .308 hitting percentage, and had four total blocks. The trio of Debell, McElhaney and Leon combined for 37 kills with a .384 hitting percentage.

Freshman Anna Calcagno had eight kills and 11 digs. Redshirt freshman Olivia Fogo tallied her first kills in a Marshall uniform with six and added two total blocks.

Senior setter Sydney Lostumo upped her career-high in assists by one to 47, as she had 46 in the previous match at Xavier. Lostumo contributed seven digs, two total blocks and one kill as well. Junior libero Sarah Schank had 16 digs, three aces and two assists. Freshman Dominique Turner recorded seven digs. Freshman Riley Winslow saw her first collegiate action and tallied two service aces and one dig.

The set went back-and-forth throughout its entirety. In the opening frame, the score was tied eight times and there were two lead changes. However, Marshall grabbed the lead for good at 11-10 on a kill from McElhaney, her second of the set. Calcagno powered the Herd offensively in the period with five kills. A block from McElhaney and Lostumo finished it off as the Herd went up 1-0.

The second set began much like the first with five ties and two lead changes early. Marshall took control at 9-8 on a kill from Leon that sparked an 8-1 run. Charlotte only pulled as close as four at 24-20, before Debell blasted a shot to finish the set and put the Herd up 2-0.

The third set belonged to the 49ers. There were four ties and one lead change through the first half of the period. Charlotte gained the lead at 11-10 and rolled off a 5-1 run to take a 15-11 lead. Another run of 7-0 helped to put the set out of reach as the 49ers grabbed a win, and cut the deficit to 2-1.

In the fourth, both teams refused to back down as there were 16 ties and five lead changes. Charlotte took a three-point lead at 15-12 before Debell and Leon drilled three-straight kills to tie things up and force a 49er timeout. The set remained a battle all the way through the finish as Marshall took a one-point lead and then Charlotte tied it up. A kill from Sydney Rowan of Charlotte tied the set for the final time at 23-23. Debell tallied the final two points with kills off Lostumo assists as the Herd took the match 3-1.

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Players Mentioned

Anna Calcagno

Ciara DeBell

Olivia Fogo

Destiny Leon

Sydney Lostumo

Macy McElhaney

Sarah Schank

Riley Winslow