Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Bethune-Cookman University
Trojans Split Two on Day One
9/4/2009 10:00:00 PM | Volleyball
MACON, Ga. - The Trojans split their first two matches of the Bear Brawl on Friday, hosted by Mercer. Troy fell to the host Bears, 3-0, in their first match then rallied back to defeat Bethune-Cookman, 3-0.
MERCER 3, TROY 0
The Trojans were swept at the hands of the host Mercer Bears, 3-0 (22-25, 10-25, 20-25) to drop their record to 2-3 on the season.
Troy was led by Meghan Gilroy and Brittany McClelland who both posted double digit kills, with 12 and 10 respectively. Megan Henderson had 34 of the Trojans 37 assists. Defensively, freshman Lizzie Clough had 11 digs to pace the Trojans. Troy hit .158 in the match compared to a .292 mark by the Bears.
Troy fell behind early in the first set when Mercer (1-3) took the first three points. The Bears extended their lead to as much as six at 8-2 and 10-4, but the Trojans fought back, scoring on 12 of 18 points to pull even at 16-16.
After two straight Trojan attack errors, the Bears pulled ahead 18-16. The Trojans tied the score again at 20-20, but couldn't get the points that mattered the most at the end and fell to the Bears, 25-22.
In the second set, the Trojans found themselves in an early hole and couldn't climb out. After taking the first point, the Trojans gave up eight straight and fell behind, 8-1. After taking a timeout, the Trojans were able to win six of eight to pull within three at 10-7.
At that time, the Bears went on another long scoring run, winning seven straight to go ahead 17-7. After the Trojans finally stopped that run, Mercer scored another five in a row to go up 22-8. By that time the set was decided and the Bears went on to win it, 25-10.
The third set had a promising start for the Trojans as they scored the first six points. However, Mercer scored six of the next nine to pull within three at 6-9. After the Trojans scored two quick ones off of kills by McClelland and Vicky Rogoschewsky, the Bears scored five straight to tie the set at 11-11.
After splitting four points and finding themselves at another tie at 13-13, the Bears won eight of ten to pull ahead 21-15. The Trojans got back to within as little as three points at 22-19, but ultimately fell 25-20.
TROY 3, BETHUNE-COOKMAN 0
The Trojans were able to bounce back from their earlier defeat and top the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman, 3-0 (25-18, 31-29, 25-19).
The Trojans were led by McClelland offensively with 11 kills. Henderson posted 24 digs. Caroline Alexander also posted seven assists in her first action of the year. The Trojans had three people in double figures in digs. Henderson and Clough each had 11 and Laura Mackley had 10.
"We played very well," head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said, "I cost us four points in the second set and allow them to get back in it."
"Fortunately, the girls stayed tough and won it for us," said Kirkpatrick, "that long set was really good for our confidence."
"Everyone got to play and I was proud of our effort and intensity," said Kirkpatrick, "hopefully we'll get the said kind of effort tomorrow."
The Trojans will take to the court again on Saturday for their final match in the Bear Brawl, against Furman at 1 p.m. EST. Check back with TroyTrojans.com for news and notes from the volleyball court as well as all of Troy Athletics.
