Troy University Athletics
Troy Defeats In-State Foe to Begin Week
9/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
MOBILE, Ala. - Sophomore Aubre Smith notched 21 kills on Wednesday night to lead the Trojans to a win over in-state rival South Alabama by scores of 30-25, 28-30, 25-30, 30-17 and 15-11.
Smith ended the match with the Jaguars with a .341 hitting percentage and six blocks.
Troy forced a fifth game in its second consecutive match but this one ended with the Trojans on top unlike the result with Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
The Trojans improved to 7-12 on the season and 1-2 in conference play while South Alabama falls to 5-10 and 0-3 in Sun Belt play.
Also helping the Trojans offensively was freshman Meghan Gilroy who posted 15 kills for an attack percentage of .500. Gilroy also led the Trojans defensively with her eight blocks and nine digs.
Freshmen Liz Leeds and Kerry Heinz also recorded double digit kills for Troy in the match. Leeds and Heinz also had 15 and 14 digs, respectively to assist the Trojans on defense.
South Alabama had two record double figure kills and had 56 kills in the match compared to Troy's 68.
In game one, the score tied at eight but Troy continued to fight, pulling away late 28-25 and held on for the win.
Troy began game two off slowly down 9-4, but the Trojans mounted a comeback pulling to within two, 22-20 but could overtake the Jaguars.
The Trojans were in the hole, 5-1 to start game three but tried to close the gap, 15-11. Try as they might, the Trojans were unable to catch the Jags behind 27-21 as South Alabama took the game.
Game four started off close with the game tied at ten then Troy pulled away, 20-12. South Alabama closed the gap some, 27-16 but it was not enough.
Troy clinched game five and the match as it was up 8-6 at the eight-point break. Then the Trojans continued the momentum after the break pulling away from the Jags, 13-9.
On Friday and Saturday the Trojans will play host to Florida International and Florida Atlantic in its home conference opener. Friday, Troy will face the Panthers of FIU at 7 p.m. and then on Saturday at 2 p.m. the Trojans will play FAU. Live stats will be available on www.troytrojans.com. Admission to all home volleyball matches is free.
