Saturday, October 25, 2014
UALR Wins 14th Straight, Set New School Records
LITTLE ROCK -- The UALR volleyball team had a record-setting night on Saturday, defeating Appalachian State in straight sets (25-16, 25-12, 25-14) for the team’s 14th consecutive win.
Besides breaking the school’s record for consecutive wins, the Trojans (19-4, 13-0 Sun Belt Conference) also set a new mark for consecutive victories to begin league play with 13. Appalachian State (17-6, 7-6 SBC) only led for a single point in the entire match.
The Trojans were excellent defensively, as they forced the Mountaineers to hit just .010 for the match. UALR also earned 12 total team blocks including six block assists from Edina Selimovic.
On offense, Edina Begic led the way with 14 kills on 29 attacks. Sonja Milanovic had nine kills to her name while Selimovic tallied six and Carolee Dillard picked up five. Sophomore setter Megan Mathis recorded 34 assists on the night and five digs. Senior libero Capri Rino had a match-high 15 digs.
The outcome of the match was never in doubt.
After the first set began knotted up at 4-4, UALR went on a five-point scoring run to take a 9-4 lead. The Mountaineers never got closer than four points again as UALR steadily built its lead to as many as nine. The Trojans played a very even first set with five players recording at least two kills, and Rino even got her third career kill. UALR hit a stellar .500 in the set while Appalachian State hit only .139.
The second set was very similar to the first, with the teams tied in the early going until the score reached 7-7. From there, the Trojans got seven consecutive points on a service run by Sonja Milanovic to go ahead 14-7, and the set was all but over. Adisa Hodzic also had a five-point service run in the set, and the Trojans would wind up more-than doubling the Mountaineers’ score in the set. UALR also had a run of three solo blocks in a five-point span by Mathis, Begic and Milanovic. Appalachian State had another bad hitting set, recording a -.162 hitting percentage.
The third set saw more of the same as the Trojans jumped out to a very early lead. The team scored the first seven points on Milanovic’s service run including three consecutive aces from the junior. The Mountaineers never got closer than five points in the rest of the set.
UALR is right back to work on Friday night at ULM when it will be looking for its 15th consecutive victory. The Trojans then play again in the Jack Stephens Center against Troy on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Volleyball Drops Match to First-Place UALR
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Appalachian State University volleyball fell to first-place Sun Belt team UALR on Saturday night, featuring sets with scores of 16-25, 12-25 and 14-25.
The Mountaineers (17-6, 7-6 SBC) were unable to get the better of the Trojans (19-4, 13-0 SBC), quickly falling in just three sets.
The first set began with Appalachian tying the score at four, but UALR went on 5-0 run to lead 9-4. From there the Trojans would continue to find points, never letting the Mountaineers within more than six points.
Despite a kill from Emily Corrigan at the end of the set, UALR took the first, 25-16 to take a 1-0 lead.
The second set began close as each team took several leads. The Apps took a 7-6 lead off a Trojan error, but UALR would suddenly take control, scoring eight-straight points to take a commanding 14-7 lead.
The Mountaineers were unable to catch up as the Trojans scored 11 of the last 15 points to take the second set, 25-12.
The third set would not begin well for App State as the Trojans scored the first seven points of the set. The Mountaineers would attempt to close the lead, finding points from Corrigan, Jess Keller, Hailey Kerr and Lauren Gray, but it would not be enough as UALR easily took the third, 25-14 and won the match 3-0.
Corrigan led the way with seven kills, a season-low for her, while also finding a team-high six digs. Paige Brown had 20 assists in the loss.
Edina Begic led the Trojans with 14 kills, whle Rino Capri had 15 digs.
UALR hit .346 in the match, holding the Mountaineers to just a .010 hitting percentage. App State had four blocks to UALR's 12.
The Mountaineers return to action for a Sunday match against UT Arlington next weekend in Boone.
A-State Volleyball Sweeps South Alabama
JONESBORO, Ark. (10/25/14) – The Arkansas State volleyball team picked up its second consecutive Sun Belt Conference win Saturday night with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-17) victory over South Alabama at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro.
The Red Wolves (13-8, 8-4) raced out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first set against the Jaguars (10-12, 5-7) after a Sarah Kemp kill, but South Alabama responded to tie the set up at 8-8. After the tie, A-State used an 8-3 run, capped by a Jessica Uke kill, to take a 16-11 lead, but USA closed the gap to two at 20-18 later in the set. However, the Jaguars wouldn’t get any closer as A-State closed the set on a 5-3 run for a 25-21 set victory and 1-0 match lead.
The Jaguars burst out the gates with a 7-2 run to start the second set and forced Arkansas State to call a timeout. After the timeout, A-State clawed its way back to tie the set at 13-13 on a Kemp service ace. The Red Wolves earned their first lead at 18-17 on a Drew Jones kill, but South Alabama tied the set again at 20-20. A-State responded to that tie with a 5-2 run and earned a 25-22 second set victory on a Kariana Castanon-Hill kill to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
After intermission, A-State jumped out to a 10-4 advantage to force the Jaguars to call a timeout. After the timeout, USA got within four points at 16-12 on an A-State attack error, but the Red Wolves went on a 6-2 run to take control at 22-14. The Jaguars got as close as six points at 23-17, but a USA service error and Mallory Warrington service ace gave the Red Wolves the two points it needed to secure a 25-17 third set victory and 3-0 match win.
“It was good to get the win and getting to eight wins in conference for us is huge,” A-State volleyball coach David Rehr said. “South Alabama is a really feisty team and they didn’t quit. They have fantastic hitters, but we did better in the transition game to get the win.”
Kemp led the way with 13 kills for the Red Wolves, while Castanon-Hill and Uke added seven each. Warrington recorded her 16th double-double of the year by handing out 33 assists and tallying 18 digs defensively. Markie Schaedig followed up her career night with a solid 32 digs to lead the Red Wolves, while six different A-State players recorded blocks, led by Uke’s five, which included two block solos.
“My performance isn’t just about me, it’s about the team,” Kemp said. “I can’t do anything without Markie digging and Mallory setting.”
The Red Wolves return to action Friday, Oct. 31 when they host Troy. First serve from the Convocation Center is set for 7 p.m., and fans can keep up with the entire match’s action by viewing live stats at AStateStats.com and by following @AStateGameday on Twitter. For the latest on the A-State volleyball team follow the squad on Twitter (@stAteVolleyball).
Jaguars Fall in Straight Sets at Arkansas State
JONESBORO, Ark. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team fell in straight-sets, 3-0 (21-25, 22-25, 17-25) to Arkansas State on Saturday evening at the Convocation Center.
The Jaguars (10-12, 5-7 SBC) will close out its three-match road trip at Georgia Southern on Friday, Oct. 31 when it takes on the Eagles at 5 p.m. (CT) at Hanner Fieldhouse and then return home to host Texas State on Sunday, Nov. 2. First serve versus the Bobcats is set for noon at Jag Gym.
Sophomore outside hitter Mechell Daniel paced the club both offensively and defensively for the Jags as she recorded 14 kills and 15 digs – both team-highs – for her ninth double-double of the season. Nikki Gittens finished with 10 kills of her own, while Symone Stephenson added six kills and hit .385 in the match. Senior libero Jenna Hassell recorded 14 digs for USA in the loss.
Arkansas State improved to 13-8 overall and 8-4 in the Sun Belt with the win. Sarah Kemp paced ASU with 14 kills, while Kari Kastanon-Hill and Jessica Uke also chipped in with seven kills each. Drew Jones and Kelsey Reis each had six kills apiece.
Uke also led the Red Wolves with five total blocks – two solo and three assists. Markie Schaedig – who came into the match ranked second in the nation in digs per set – led all players with 32 digs. ASU setter Mallory Warrigton recorded a double-double in the with 33 assists and 18 digs.
SET ONE: ARKANSAS STATE 25, SOUTH ALABAMA 21
The host Red Wolves got off to a quick start, opening the match by picking up the first four points. Uke led ASU during the opening run with a pair of kills and a solo block.
USA battled back and took the lead at 7-6 on a kill by Gittens, but three points later with the set tied at 8-8, Arkansas State pushed across three-straight points and took an 11-8 lead on a kill by Warrington.
ASU would go on to lead by as much as five in the set, but the Jags kept battling back, trimming the deficit to as little as two on multiple occasions. Daniel cut the Red Wolves' lead to 24-21 with her sixth kill of the frame, but Sarah Kemp sealed the 25-21 win for ASU on the next point with a kill of her own.
Symone Stephenson also had four kills in the opening set for USA.
SET TWO: ARKANSAS STATE 25, SOUTH ALABAMA 22
ASU picked up two of the first three points of the second set, but South Alabama charged right back and answered with six-straight points. Mallory Moore gave USA a five point advantage with a kill.
The Red Wolves hang around and began to chip away at the deficit, pulling within one (10-9) after a kill by Warrington. The Jags extended the lead back out to three two points later, but Arkansas State came right back and tied the contest back up at 13-13 on an ace by Kemp.
With the second set still tied at 20-20 after a kill by Jessica Lewis and an ASU attack error, the Red Wolves regained the lead for good on a block assists by Kemp and Uke. Kemp then recorded her third kill of the frame to increase Arkansas State's advantage to 22-20. From there, the Red Wolves went on to take a two sets to none lead with the 25-22 victory.
SET THREE: ARKANSAS STATE 25, SOUTH ALABAMA 17
Arkansas State came out of the intermission and led wire-to-wire in the final set, capturing the first two points of the set.
Leading by one at 4-3, ASU broke the frame open as it pushed across seven of the next nine points to take an 11-5 lead. Kemp posted three of her kills in the match during the run.
The Red Wolves never allowed USA to get any closer than five the rest of the way and went on to take the match with a 25-17 victory on an ace by Warrington – her second of the match and the sixth of the night for Arkansas State.
NOTES: With the loss to Arkansas State, South Alabama drops to 4-26 in the all-time series. ASU has now won nine of the last 11 meetings. USA is also 1-13 in the series in matches played in Jonesboro. Mechell Daniel posted her ninth double-double of the season as she finished the match versus the Red Wovles with 14 kills and 15 digs.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Georgia State: Serafin, Shonk Lead Volleyball to 3-0 Win
TROY, Ala. – One day after a home win, Georgia State’s volleyball team completed a 3-0 shutout at Troy on Saturday, winning 25-23, 28-26, 25-20. The win was just the second shutout of the season for the Panthers and improved the team’s conference record to 5-7.
“We passed really well tonight,” head coach Sally Polhamus said. “We need to learn to play our game better when we’re in an opponent’s gym, but this was a step in the right direction. It was a tough environment and we we’re excited to get out of here with a win.”
The passing game was fueled by junior Gabby Serafin and sophomore Molly Shonk. The duo combined for 30 digs with Serafin leading the way with 19. Serafin and Shonk led the defense that held Troy to .146 hitting. GSU had a nice night in the blocking game as well and the team finished with eight total blocks in the three-set contest, an impressive 2.67 blocks-per-set average.
Junior Natalia Nieto had an impressive night, averaging 13 assists per set with 39 on the night. Nieto was able to find multiple teammates to help the team to a .267 hitting percentage. Juniors Deidra Bohannon and Eliza Zachary led the Panther offense and both finished with double digit kills.
Bohannon hit .275 with 13 kills while Zachary had 10 kills on .269 hitting. Sophomore Kristina Stinson added eight kills and Nieto got in on the action with four of her own.
NOTING THE PANTHERS…
·The win moved Georgia State’s record to 7-14 (5-7 SBC) and Troy drops to 9-16 (1-12 SBC).
·Georgia State has had a tough time on the road this season. This is just the second road victory in nine contests, but both of those wins were 3-0 shutouts.
·Eliza Zachary led the team in blocks with five while Deidra Bohannon finished with three.
·Georgia State’s two wins this weekend moved the team up two spots in the conference standings to seventh place.
Troy led by as many as five in the first set, but a late surge by the Panthers helped them claim their first lead of the set at 20-19. Georgia State outhit the Trojans .289-.125 and won the set 26-24 after two-straight errors by Troy. Six different Panthers recorded kills in the first frame and Bohannon led the way with five.
Set 2 saw the Panthers lead for most of the set. Troy trailed by five at 20-15 but rallied to tie the set at 24. Troy took a 25-24 lead, but Bohannon’s ninth kill kept the Panthers in it. After trailing 26-25, Georgia State rattled off three-straight points to win 28-26 and take a 2-0 lead into intermission.
Georgia State rode the momentum out of intermission and controlled the third set. Troy made it a close set when they cut the deficit to 23-20, but
the Panthers came back and sealed the deal to earn a 25-20 win and their second shutout of the season.
The Panthers host UT Arlington (19-5, 9-3 SBC) on Friday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. The Mavericks are third in the conference.
Georgia State Outlasts Volleyball in League Action
TROY, Alabama – The Troy volleyball team dropped a tightly contested Sun Belt Conference match to Georgia State Saturday night in Trojan Arena. The Panthers swept the match 3-0, but two of the three sets were decided by two points and the third by just five points (26-24, 28-26, 25-20).
Symone Shaw led the Trojans with 11 kills and 11.5 points, while Kiah Cheatham added seven kills to go along with a team-high .375 attack percentage. Ali Dowdell paced the Troy (9-16, 1-12 Sun Belt) defense with a match-high 19 digs. Tineille Waggoner ran the Trojan offense as she dished out 30 assists and added six kills.
Deidra Bohannon had a match-high 13 kills to lead Georgia State (7-14, 5-7). Eliza Zachary was also in double-figures with 10 kills while Gabby Serafin had 19 digs and Natalia Nieto posted a match-high 39 assists.
Troy led for most of the first set and held an 18-13 advantage after a kill by Darby Griff before the Panthers went on a 7-1 run to grab a 21-20 advantage. A Marija Zelenovic kill tied the set at 24-24 before a Troy service error and attack error gave the Panthers a 26-24 victory.
The second set was a reverse as Georgia State jumped out to the early lead before Troy battled back. Down five, 20-15, the Trojans went on a 10-4 run to take the lead and hold set point at 25-24. Georgia State fought off two set points before a Troy ball handling error gave the Panthers the second set at 28-26.
Georgia State controlled the third set from the beginning as the Panthers built a 15-11 lead. The Trojans pulled back within two, 15-13, thanks a service error and a block by Rachel Skibba and Shaw. The Panthers extended their lead back out to five, 20-15, before eventually winning 25-20.
The Trojans are back in action on Friday night at Arkansas State. For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube by searching for Troy Athletics.
Bobcats Bounce Back with Sweep of Eagles
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State rebounded from a road loss on Thursday with an impressive sweep of Georgia Southern (25-18, 25-20, 25-21) Saturday night. The match was never in doubt as Alexandra Simms and Jordan Kohl led the Bobcats past the Eagles to improve to 15-10 on the season and 10-3 in Sun Belt Conference action.
Simms and Kohl each finished with 10 kills on the night, but the Bobcats were able to get a number of players involved. Lauren Kirch finished with eight kills while Keeley Davis added seven. Amanda Watkins put down five kills while Brooke Smith and Kelsey Weynand combined for five more.
The Bobcats were also very effective at the net defensively with nine blocks on the night. Kirch was in on six of them to lead Texas State while Smith finished with four blocks. Watkins added three more.
Brenna Lyles, playing libero Saturday night, led all players in digs with 14. Shelby Vas Matt offered her support with 12 digs while Davis added nine. With the blocking and strong work on the back line from Texas State, the Bobcats only allowed Georgia Southern to hit .083 for the match.
Lyles, in addition to her defensive work, led Texas State in service with two aces. Simms and Gonzales each added one more. The Bobcats were strong in service all night.
At one point in the first set, Gonzales served seven consecutive points for Texas State, including an ace. The Bobcats were trailing, 10-8, until Jordan Moore, who finished with 24 assists, found Davis for a kill. From there, Gonzales went on her serving streak and the Bobcats forced consecutive errors from Georgia Southern followed by a block from Kirch and Davis.
Then Gonzales served her ace and the Eagles fell victim to another block, this one from Smith and Kirch, and another error. Kirch scored the last point in the run with a kill set up by Gonzales, who added 14 assists.
With a 16-10 lead, the Bobcats stayed in control throughout the rest of the set for an easy 25-18 opening frame victory. Texas State used a large run to gain control in the second set as well. With the set tied, 6-6, the Bobcats scored on with a block from Kohl and Watkins. A kill from Kirch and an ace from Lyles came next. After that, Kohl and Davis each put down kills to put the Bobcats up 11-6 in the set.
Georgia Southern tied the frame at 11-11, but Texas State rifled off three points to push the lead to 14-11 and eventually 21-16 on a kill from Watkins. Another 3-0 run from Texas State with three consecutive kills from Kohl made it set point, 24-17, before Georgia Southern was able to hold off Texas State for three points. Eventually, Kirch struck a kill to win the second set, 25-20.
Texas State was in complete control of the third set from the beginning. The Bobcats built a 20-11 lead, but Georgia Southern was able to fight back to make it respectable. When the Eagles pulled within two, 21-19, Texas State put down two kills from Kelsey Weynand and another Lyles ace to push the lead to 24-19 and eventually claimed the final set and the sweep with a 25-21 victory.
The Bobcats will next take to the road to face UL Lafayette at 7 p.m. Friday and South Alabama at 12 p.m. Sunday. Texas State will return home for a three-match home stand before taking to the road again to face Appalachian State and Georgia Southern to end the regular season.
Texas State Sweeps Georgia Southern Volleyball 3-0
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Alexandra Simms and Jordan Kohl each notched 10 kills to lead Texas State to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-21) Sun Belt Conference volleyball victory over Georgia Southern Saturday night in Strahan Coliseum.
Jamie DeRatt posted 12 kills, 13 digs and two blocks to lead Georgia Southern (6-17, 5-8), while Cathrine Murray tallied seven kills, 13 digs and three blocks.
Lauren Kirch collected eight kills and six blocks for Texas State (15-10, 10-3), and Keely Davis added seven kills and nine digs.
The Eagles were held below .100 hitting in both the second and third sets and wound up hitting .083 for the match. The Bobcats finished with just 16 errors on 135 swings and hit .222 as a team.
“We’re learning how hard it is to win on the road, but we didn’t play well all weekend and were still in matches,” said Georgia Southern coach Dustin Wood. “We have to get back in the gym this week to refresh everything, especially mentally. We need to work hard for a very important conference weekend, and it will be nice to be back in Hanner.”
Georgia Southern had a brief lead in the first set, but a six-point run by the Bobcats gave them a cushion they would not relinquish. Consecutive Davis kills ignited a 6-2 run late in the second set that turned an 18-16 lead into an insurmountable 24-18 cushion.
Three DeRatt kills helped the Eagles battle back from a nine-point deficit to make the score 21-19 in the third set, but the Bobcats responded with three straight points and finished the match with a combined block by Kohl and Kirch.
Georgia Southern returns home to take on South Alabama Friday, Oct. 31, and Georgia State, Saturday, Nov. 1, in Hanner Fieldhouse.
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