Troy University Athletics
Troy University
University of Arkansas-Little Rock
Trojans Suffer Tough Road Loss
10/3/2009 2:45:00 AM | Volleyball
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Troy University volleyball team lost a tough road match against UALR on Friday, 3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, 15-8).
"We played really well in the first set threes sets," said head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick, "We just lost our focus and momentum in the fourth set."
Troy (6-9, 2-2) was led by Meghan Gilroy who had 17 kills and a .333 attack percentage. Also posting double digit kills for the Trojans were Kayla Giles (13) and Devin Von Pingel (14). Megan Henderson posted 47 assists for the Trojans while also leading the squad with 16 digs. Lizzie Clough posted 15 digs to help out the defensive effort. Von Pingel also contributed defensively with seven total blocks.
In the first set, the two sides were tied at 8-8 before Troy made a 5-0 run to go ahead 13-8. UALR battled to within two at 14-12, but the never got any closer as Troy scored 11 of 15 to take the first set, 25-18.
The second set was tight throughout, and Troy was actually ahead, 17-15. However at that point, UALR (9-6, 3-1) went on a seven point run to pull ahead 22-17, taking control of the set, and ultimately winning it, 25-21.
The third set was also a back and forth effort early, with the team being tied as late as 15-15. However, this time Troy came up with the timely run, winning six of seven to go ahead, 21-16. The Trojans maintained that lead, and took set three, 25-19.
UALR got out to an early lead in the fourth, pulling ahead 8-4. The Troy could get within three throughout the set, but they never get over that hump, falling in the fourth, 25-19.
With the match on the line in the fifth set, Troy couldn't get in sync early, losing the first seven points, putting themselves in a huge, 7-0 hole. The two teams swapped points throughout the rest of the set, but the early seven point run proved to be the difference as Troy fell to UALR by seven, 15-8.
"If you erase the first seven points of the fifth set, this is a totally different match and we could have the win," Kirkpatrick said.
UALR was led on the night by Anita Bucur with 22 kills and a .353 attack percentage. Setting up the UALR attack was Giuliana DeFrancesco who posted 61 asssists. Defensively, Emily Pepperman paced the Trojans with 18 digs.
"We just to take the positive things that we did tonight and apply them to tomorrow night's match," Kirkpatrick said.
The Trojans will be back in action tomorrow night when they travel to Jonesboro, Ark. to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and live stats will be available through the above link. Check back with TroyTrojans.com for more news and notes from the volleyball court, as well as all of Troy Athletics.
