Trojans Down Middle Tennessee on Senior Night

Saturday, November 3

Troy, Ala.

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

Middle Tennessee

Photo by: Cass Davis

Trojans Down Middle Tennessee on Senior Night

11/3/2012 9:21:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

TROY, Ala. – The Troy volleyball team overcame a first-set loss on senior night to defeat Middle Tennessee, 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19), on Saturday night at Sartain Hall.

The Trojans (19-10, 9-4) remain in second place in the Sun Belt standings, now a full game ahead of UALR who did not play on Saturday.

Troy was led on the night by Breanna Cullity who posted 13 kills and just four errors for a .346 attack percentage. Kayla Pickart had 12 kills while Blair Winston had 11.

Alexandra Alexander posted 42 assists, her eighth 40-assists game of Sun Belt play. Alexander also had a match-high 15 digs for a double-double. Courtney Cohen was also in double figures with 14 digs.

“We had adversity at the beginning of the match,” Troy head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick. “We found a way to get some composure and get back into what we're trying to do offensively and defensively. I'm proud of the way our team responded in bonding together and going back to our gameplan.

“It's always great for the seniors to win their last home game and I thought it was fitting that our four-year starter (Devin Von Pingel) had final kill of match.”

Middle Tennessee (10-21, 7-7) was led by Chelsea Ross who posted 17 kills, but hit just .200. Middle Tennessee had 11.0 total team blocks, led by Monet Marshall's six.

The Blue Raiders hit .278 in the first set as they raced out to a 9-2 lead. Middle Tennessee hold the seven-point advantage most of the way as they went on to win 25-18.

Troy held the Blue Raiders to just a .059 attack percentage in the second set, however, the two sides were close early. The two sides were tied seven times in the frame, including as late as 15-15. Troy used a five-point run to take a 20-15 lead before winning 25-21.

Troy jumped out to an early 8-1 lead in the third set and held the lead for most of the set as they led 20-11. At that point, Middle Tennessee scored four straight to make it 20-15 before Troy went on to win 25-21.

The Trojans hit a match-high .419 in the fourth set with 15 kills and just two errors. The set was tied four times, including as late as 14-14. That is when Troy went on a three-point run to pull ahead 17-14 before taking the clinching set, 25-19.

The Trojans return to the floor next weekend when they travel to FIU and Florida Atlantic to close the regular season.

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