University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Marshall
Marshall Rumbles Past Memphis, 3-0
Oct 11, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 11, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -
Marshall (16-4, 4-2 C-USA) 25 25 25 Memphis (4-17, 1-6 C-USA) 19 22 20
Setter Christine Bach handed out a match-high 37 assists and Altrese Hawkins hit .435 with 13 kills, but a third-straight Memphis win was not to be as Marshall cruised to a sweep of the Tigers in Conference USA action Sunday afternoon. Memphis falls to 4-17, 1-6 in C-USA play, while Marshall improves to 16-4, 4-2 in the league.
Memphis won the attacking battle, posting a 42-38 advantage in kills and a 38-36 lead in assists. However, the Tigers struggled at the service line, making 10 serving errors. Led by libero Becky Shaffer's team-best 14 digs, Memphis registered two more digs than Marshall.
The Tigers, who had trouble maintaining momentum all match long on Sunday, got the match started with a 4-1 run that was highlighted by a pair of kills by Hawkins and assisted blocks from Casey Sines and Lauren Thompson. That lead quickly turned into an 8-4 Marshall advantage after the Herd responded with a stretch of seven-straight points. Marshall pushed the lead 12-6 and to force a Memphis timeout, but that did little to break the Thundering Herd's drive. Marshall led by as many as eight on three occasions before sealing a 25-19 set-one victory.
Down 5-3 in the second set, Carolyn Baker ignited an eight-point surge that put Memphis on top 11-5. The run was powered by the strong serve of Maja Jovanovic. The freshman served up three aces and Marshall's passing troubles resulted in a pair of strikes by Baker. The Tigers were again unable to hold the energy as the Herd chipped away at the lead. Ahead 17-15, Marshall scored a 6-0 run to gain a 20-17 lead. That was all it needed in a 25-22 decision.
The two clubs battled through four ties, before Marshall posted a 5-2 push to go ahead 12-9. Baker's kill started a five-point run as Memphis overcame the small deficiency. Junior Katlin Inglish followed Baker's seventh kill of the afternoon, with a service ace and Hawkins connected with a kill to knot the set at 15-15. The Tigers took a 16-15 on an offense error by Marshall. But the lead was short-lived as the Herd countered by ending the match on a 10-4 run.
The Memphis offense got nine kills from Thompson and eight each from Baker and Jovanovic.
Marshall was led by Emily Sullivan's match-high 14 kills and .462 hitting percentage. Setter Elizabeth Fleming dished out 19 assists, while Ryanne Milligan added 14. Libero Katy Schad led all players with 16 digs. Kelley Bugler made a match-best seven total blocks.
Memphis will look to get back on the winning track on Tues., Oct. 13, when it hosts UT Martin at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
