Volleyball Takes First Set, Then Falls in Four to No. 20 WKU

Box Score (PDF)

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall volleyball team came out on fire before the 20th-ranked WKU Hilltoppers came roaring back, as the Herd fell in four sets (25-21, 16-25, 18-25, 9-25).

The Thundering Herd's win in the first set, ended WKU's streak of 25-straight set victories. The last time the Hilltoppers lost a set was the third frame against Mercer, back on Jan. 24.

Marshall falls to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in Conference USA action. WKU improves to 11-0 and 6-0 in conference.

"We took a step in the right direction by coming out strong and sticking to our game plan in the first set," Herd head coach Ari Aganus said. "However, we have to work and get better to stay locked in for a full match. There were some good moments today, but there were also a lot of things that we need to fix before taking on Middle Tennessee this weekend."

Junior Macy McElhaney led the Herd in kills with 11 and added three total blocks. Redshirt senior Ciara Debell was next with eight kills and also 14 digs. Senior Destiny Leon tallied six kills and led Marshall with six total blocks. Leon's block streak is now at 36-straight contests. Redshirt freshman Olivia Fogo and junior Sarah Schank had four kills each while freshman Anna Calcagno added three.

Senior setter Sydney Lostumo recorded 35 assists, six digs, four total blocks, two kills and two aces. Schank started the match as the libero and then switched with freshman Riley Winslow after the second set. Schank still led the Herd with 23 digs. Winslow recorded five digs and one ace. Redshirt sophomore Hayley Delor tallied a career-high 17 digs.

Marshall looked as if it was ready for the upset in the first set. The Herd jumped out to the early lead and led by as much as four, 7-3, after back-to-back blocks. Marshall maintained the lead until WKU tied the set at 15-15, and again at 16-16. Sparked by a kill from Debell, the Herd used a 3-0 run to take charge. Another 3-0 run with a kill from McElhaney and then two WKU errors moved Marshall to set-point, 24-19. The Hilltoppers scored two more points to close the gap to three, 24-21, before a service error ended the set and gave the Herd the 1-0 lead.

The second set began much like the first, with Marshall out to the early lead and WKU rallying. The Hilltoppers rolled out a 9-0 run to take the lead for good.

WKU led throughout most of the third set as well. Marshall showed some fight toward the end of the set, while trailing 24-15. The Herd put together a 3-0 run to try and grab some momentum before the Hilltoppers finished the set. Marshall put together some great back-and-forth battles throughout the second and third sets, but just were unable to finish with the point. WKU dominated the fourth set to grab the victory.

Marshall has just three Conference USA, two-match series remaining. The Herd travels next to Middle Tennessee, March 7-8. Marshall's final home matches of the year will see Florida Atlantic in the Cam Henderson Center, March 14-15. The Herd then finishes the regular season on the road at Old Dominion, March 21-22.

For all the latest information about Marshall volleyball, follow @HerdVolleyball on Twitter and Marshall University Volleyball on Facebook.

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---HerdZone.com---

Volleyball Takes First Set, Then Falls in Four to No. 20 WKU

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Team Stats

Macy McElhaney

Ciara DeBell

Destiny Leon

Olivia Fogo

Players Mentioned

Anna Calcagno

Ciara DeBell

Hayley Delor

Olivia Fogo

Destiny Leon

Sydney Lostumo

Macy McElhaney

Sarah Schank

Riley Winslow

Players Mentioned

Anna Calcagno

Ciara DeBell

Hayley Delor

Olivia Fogo

Destiny Leon

Sydney Lostumo

Macy McElhaney

Sarah Schank

Riley Winslow

Marshall University Athletics