Rally Comes Up Short As Trojans Fall In Five Sets

Friday, October 22

Denton, TX

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of North Texas

Photo by: Cass Davis

Rally Comes Up Short As Trojans Fall In Five Sets

10/22/2010 9:26:14 PM | Volleyball

After falling in the first two sets, the Trojans won the next two to force a fifth set

By: Brynna Waters

Box Score (.pdf) | Box Score

DENTON, Texas - The Troy University Trojans volleyball fought from behind most of the night, forcing a fifth and deciding set, before falling to the University of North Texas 3-2 (18-25, 19-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-8) in Sun Belt Conference action Friday night.

Troy (10-15, 2-6 Sun Belt) was led on the night by sophomore Devin Von Pingel with 10 kills and a .360 attack percentage, while senior Megan Henderson added 34 assists, seven kills and a .538 attack percentage.
Junior Natasha Kolunija also added 10 kills on the night for the Trojans.

Troy fell behind in the first set; before kills from Von Pingel, Henderson and sophomore Kayla Giles closed the gap to six at 15-9. The Mean Green increased their lead from that point, until kills from Von Pingel and junior Brittany McClelland - along with a service ace - got Troy to within four at 22-18. That was as close as the Trojans could get as North Texas was able to put a stop to the Trojan rally and take the victory.

Troy bounced back in the second set, as they tied the Mean Green six times before North Texas took the lead for good. A couple of North Texas attack errors, and kills from McClelland and Kolunija helped the Trojans climb within two at 16-14. However, much like the first set, North Texas was able to put away Troy for the set victory.

After intermission, Troy took an early lead in the third set with service aces from McClelland and senior Victoria Rogoschewsky. North Texas put together a rally to pull within three of Troy at 12-9, but kills from Rogoschewsky and McClelland extended the lead for the Trojans and they were able to hang on for the set victory.

In the fourth set, Troy was able to pull away with a lead after being tied three time with the Mean Green. Kills from Kolunija and junior Laura Mackley helped Troy jump to the early lead in the fourth set. North Texas was able to bounce back and tie Troy at 10-all, but a service ace from Mackley and kill from Kolunija put the Trojans back up; and they were able to secure the set victory with kills from Rogoschewsky and Mackley.

Troy was able to take an early lead with kills from Von Pingel, Henderson and Rogoschewsky; but it was the Mean Green who came from behind in the final set. They tied the score at 7-all and took an insurmountable lead and held on for the victory. A kill from Kolunija enabled the Trojans to stay in the set, but North Texas proved to be too much on the night.

Troy's next match will be Sunday afternoon at 1 pm when they face the Pioneers of the University of Denver. Live stats and video will be provided for the match.

Keep up to date with all the Troy action by following @TroyAthletics on Twitter.