Trojans Suffer Tough Loss At Hands Of South Alabama

Friday, October 15

Troy, AL

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of South Alabama

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

Trojans Suffer Tough Loss At Hands Of South Alabama

10/15/2010 9:51:31 PM | Volleyball

After losing the first two sets, the Trojans battled back coming within inches of winning

By: Brynna Waters

TROY, Ala. - On a night were the program was helping raise awareness for breast cancer and donating proceeds to the Side Out Foundation, on the court they had to battle back from an early deficit to rival South Alabama in front of a raucous crowd. Although battling back after falling in the the first two sets, the Trojans fell to the Lady Jags of South Alabama 3-2 (22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 17-19).

Troy (10-14, 2-5 Sun Belt) was led on the night by junior Natasha Kolunija with 16 kills and a .351 attack percentage, while senior Megan Henderson set a new season-high with 53 assists and had 12 digs on the night. Junior Brittany McClelland also added 16 kills on the night for the Trojans.

In the first set, South Alabama (9-13, 4-3 Sun Belt) took an early lead, until Troy was able to tie the set 6-all with consecutive kills from McClelland. From there, the Lady Jags once again took the lead, but the Trojans were able to stay on their heels and kills from Kolunija and sophomore Kayla Giles tied the set once again at 12-all. From there South Alabama took the lead and was able to hold on for the opening-set victory.

In the second set, South Alabama was able to pull away early. Kills from Kolunija and Henderson tied the set at 4-all, but this was the only tie Troy could muster in the second set. Kills from McClelland and Giles brought the Trojans within one of the Lady Jags at 13-12, this was as close as Troy would come to taking the lead. South Alabama eventually took the set, leading 2-0 at intermission and things did not look good for the Trojans as they struggled heading into the locker room.

Troy came out rejuventaed to start the third set, as they took an early lead with kills from McClelland and Giles and a service ace from freshman Alexandra Alexander. South Alabama came back to tie Troy at 7-all, but a pair of kills from Kolunija put the Trojans back on top. The Lady Jags were never able to catch back up and Troy took the match to a fourth set.

The fourth set was tied seven times before Troy was able to pull away after the match was tied at 12-all with kills from Henderson and senior Victoria Rogochewsky. South Alabama was able to stay within one of the Trojans for much of the set, but kills from Kolunija and Devin Von Pingel quickly added to the Troy lead. Kills from Giles and Von Pingel gave Troy the set victory, and sent the match to a fifth set.

The fifth set proved to be the longest and toughest for both teams. South Alabama took an early lead from Troy, but the Trojans didn't go down without a fight as kills from Henderson and McClelland tied the set at 12-all. A service ace from Giles put Troy on top, and the match would see-saw back and forth from that point. South Alabama was able to tie the set at 14-all and from there it was a gridlock for points. The set became tied three different times after that until the Lady Jags were able to pull away after the set was tied at 17-all, scoring the final two points for the victory.

Troy's next match will be on the road when they travel to Denton, Texas to face the Mean Green of North Texas at 7 pm next Friday night. From there, the Trojans will also take on the University of Denver on Sunday, October 24.

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