Trojans Knock Off Sun Belt Leader UALR

Saturday, October 6

Little Rock, Ark.

3:00 p.m.

Troy University

UALR

Photo by: Tyler Myers

10/6/2012 5:17:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A day after seeing its three-match winning streak snapped, the Troy volleyball team rebounded in a big way, defeating Sun Belt co-leader UALR on the road Saturday, 3-1 (25-20, 16-25, 25-18, 25-14). The loss was the first in Sun Belt play for the West Division leading Trojans from UALR.

Troy (13-8, 4-2) was led by a trio of attackers that finished with over 10 kills, paced by Blair Winston's 17. Devin Von Pingel fell just short of a season-high with 13 kills while Breanna Cullity was also in double figures with 14.

“We played really well,” Troy head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “We were focused on trying to get our first win in Little Rock and we're happy to get that win today. We just need to continue to get better for next weekend.”

The win was the second in program history for Troy over UALR and the first in Little Rock as the visiting Trojans hit .297 as a team with Alexandra Alexander posting 46 assists. The 4-2 start in Sun Belt play is the best in Troy history.

Troy had three players in double-figures in the digs category led by Courtney Cohen's 14. Kelley Curran posted a season-high 12 digs while Mailande Parker recorded 10 to go with seven kills and no errors for a .318 attack percentage.

UALR (9-9, 5-1) was led by Edina Begic, the nation's leader in kills per set, who posted 25 kills in the match, nearly half of UALR's team total of 58. Troy just edged UALR in that category as they posted 59 kills of their own.

Troy's serve receive game was also a difference as UALR had zero service aces in the match while Troy posted five themselves. The match marked the second time this season that Troy held an opponent without a service ace (Alabama State).

With the first set tied at 10-10, Troy used an 8-3 run to take a five-point lead at 18-13, and they held the five-point margin the rest of the way, posting a 25-20 opening-set win as they hit .282 as a team to open the match.

UALR responded in the second set, jumping out to a 10-4 lead then a 20-8 lead. Troy didn't go down easily as they rallied to double their point total before UALR took a 25-16 win to tie the match up.

Troy would pull back ahead with a stellar third-set performance as they used a three-point run to make a close 13-10 score a six-point lead at 16-10. Troy hit .387 in the set as they finished with a seven-point advantage at 25-18.

Troy came out in the fourth set with a win on its mind as the Trojans jumped on UALR early, 7-1. Troy raced away with the lead and the match as they hit an amazing .514 in the final set on their way to a 25-14 win. Troy posted 19 kills and no errors in the final frame.

Troy returns to the floor next weekend as it returns to Sartain Hall to continue Sun Belt play against North Texas on Friday and ULM on Saturday.

For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to visit www.TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.