Marshall University Athletics
Thursday, September 3
Indianapolis, Ind.
4 PM
Marshall University
3-1,0-0Sun Belt
3
vs
0
Akron
1-3,0-0MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 32 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Akron | 30 | 17 | 19 | 0 |
Photo by: Austin Ray
Herd Volleyball Starts Hampton Inn Invitational with Sweep of Akron
9/3/2026 6:52:00 PM | Volleyball
Four in double-figure points, three in double-figure kills
Box Score (PDF) | Championship Fund
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Marshall University Volleyball Team (3-1) started the Hampton Inn Invitational in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a sweep (32-20, 25-17, 25-19) over the Akron Zips.
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"Really proud of our group and how we responded tonight and cleaned up the areas we talked about from last week," Herd Volleyball Head Coach Heather Stout said. "It's a testament to trusting our training and buying into the process."
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Emma Barnett and Logan Henderson led the way with 11 kills each as Maddie Smith joined them in double figures at 10.
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Beatrice Ciccarelli rejected five attacks, two solo blocks, while adding nine kills and a .571 attacking percentage to finish as one of four with double-figure points, tying Henderson at 12.5. Kahea Carvalho registered 24 assists with Emma Sayre leading in digs at 14.
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"It took us a little bit to settle into the match. We were being aggressive behind the service line, which led to some early errors, so it took us some time to find our groove. But once we settled in, we really started to execute," Stout said. "We've talked all week about first ball, cleaning up our serve receive, and buying into defense — and we did that really well tonight. We out-dug them and won the blocking battle, which was a huge difference-maker."
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In the first set, the Herd trailed 21-17 late in the set as Akron had not trailed in the frame. However, MU rattled off five of the next six points, concluded by an attacking error by the Zips, to tie the opening set 22-22.
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The two sides went back-and-forth as a Henderson kill gave Marshall its first lead at 28-27. As the Herd faced its sixth match point down 30-29, a kill from Ciccarelli tied the contest and a pair of Akron attacking errors saw the Green and White take the first 32-30.
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The second set was all Marshall. MU did not trail during the set with the Zips only being tied once at 1-1. The Herd held a lead of eight points taking the second 25-17 with a .469 hitting percentage with 18 kills on 32 attacks and just three errors.
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MU trailed early in the third, but after a Ciccarelli block to make it 6-5, the Herd did not trail the rest of the set. Marshall extended its lead to eight, 20-12, after a block assist from Ciccarelli and Smith and an Akron attacking error before sealing the set and match with a 25-19 score in the third.
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"This win is huge momentum for our confidence offensively. We were firing on all fronts — up the middle and pin to pin — and that's exactly the kind of balance we want to continue building," Stout said. "I'm also really proud of our energy. From the court to the bench, it was electric, and that energy fueled our play. That's something we want to keep leveling up each match. It was a true team win!"
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UP NEXTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Marshall continues action at the Hampton Inn Invitational on Friday at 6 p.m. against hosts IU Indy.
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To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall volleyball, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall volleyball team.
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For all the latest information about Marshall volleyball, follow @HerdVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Marshall University Volleyball Team (3-1) started the Hampton Inn Invitational in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a sweep (32-20, 25-17, 25-19) over the Akron Zips.
Â
"Really proud of our group and how we responded tonight and cleaned up the areas we talked about from last week," Herd Volleyball Head Coach Heather Stout said. "It's a testament to trusting our training and buying into the process."
Â
Emma Barnett and Logan Henderson led the way with 11 kills each as Maddie Smith joined them in double figures at 10.
Â
Beatrice Ciccarelli rejected five attacks, two solo blocks, while adding nine kills and a .571 attacking percentage to finish as one of four with double-figure points, tying Henderson at 12.5. Kahea Carvalho registered 24 assists with Emma Sayre leading in digs at 14.
Â
"It took us a little bit to settle into the match. We were being aggressive behind the service line, which led to some early errors, so it took us some time to find our groove. But once we settled in, we really started to execute," Stout said. "We've talked all week about first ball, cleaning up our serve receive, and buying into defense — and we did that really well tonight. We out-dug them and won the blocking battle, which was a huge difference-maker."
Â
In the first set, the Herd trailed 21-17 late in the set as Akron had not trailed in the frame. However, MU rattled off five of the next six points, concluded by an attacking error by the Zips, to tie the opening set 22-22.
Â
The two sides went back-and-forth as a Henderson kill gave Marshall its first lead at 28-27. As the Herd faced its sixth match point down 30-29, a kill from Ciccarelli tied the contest and a pair of Akron attacking errors saw the Green and White take the first 32-30.
Â
The second set was all Marshall. MU did not trail during the set with the Zips only being tied once at 1-1. The Herd held a lead of eight points taking the second 25-17 with a .469 hitting percentage with 18 kills on 32 attacks and just three errors.
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MU trailed early in the third, but after a Ciccarelli block to make it 6-5, the Herd did not trail the rest of the set. Marshall extended its lead to eight, 20-12, after a block assist from Ciccarelli and Smith and an Akron attacking error before sealing the set and match with a 25-19 score in the third.
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"This win is huge momentum for our confidence offensively. We were firing on all fronts — up the middle and pin to pin — and that's exactly the kind of balance we want to continue building," Stout said. "I'm also really proud of our energy. From the court to the bench, it was electric, and that energy fueled our play. That's something we want to keep leveling up each match. It was a true team win!"
Â
UP NEXTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Marshall continues action at the Hampton Inn Invitational on Friday at 6 p.m. against hosts IU Indy.
Â
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall volleyball, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall volleyball team.
Â
For all the latest information about Marshall volleyball, follow @HerdVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
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---HerdZone.com---
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
O
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
Marsh
UA
Kills
51
38
Errors
16
23
Attempts
113
111
Hitting %
.310
.135
Points
62.0
49.0
Assists
48
35
Aces
1
2
Blocks
10
9
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
5
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