Trojans win Two Matches on Friday

Friday, September 7

Kennesaw, Ga.

9:00 a.m.

Troy University

Chattanooga

Photo by: Tyler Myers

9/7/2012 11:54:00 AM | Volleyball

By: Matt Mays

Tournament Central
Box Score vs Chattanooga
Box Score vs North Carolina Central

TROY, Ala. – The Troy volleyball team opened the KSU Owls Classic on Friday with wins over Chattanooga and North Carolina Central. The Trojans defeated Chattanooga, 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20), and North Carolina Central, 3-0 (25-18, 25-10, 25-11). Troy will play two more matches on Saturday as they look for their second straight tournament title.

The Trojans (5-4) now take on Tennessee State at 1:30 p.m. CST on Saturday and host Kennesaw State at 6 p.m. CST as they look to build on a record that is above .500 for the first time in this young season.

“We are continuing to get better in what we're asking team to do,” Troy head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “The process of getting better is on going. We've got to play better tomorrow, but if we play well and continue to improve, I like our chances.”

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 www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.

TROY 3, NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL 0

The Trojans cruised to their second victory of the day as they defeated the Eagles in straight sets with ease.

Troy hit a season-best .345 as they recorded 42 kills and just 12 errors. Troy held North Carolina Central to a -.024 with 20 kills and 22 errors.

The Trojans were led by Blair Winston who hit .538 with eight kills and just one error on 13 attempts. Lucy Cikra was just behind Winston with seven kills while Alexandra Alexander posted 26 assists and 10 digs for her eighth double-double in nine matches this season.

Troy broke open a 14-14 tie in the first set with a five-point run as they led 19-14 and cruised to a 25-18 victory. The Trojans hit .194 in the first set, but over doubled that in the second and third sets.

Troy hit .400 in the second set as an 8-0 run gave them a 10-4 lead and a four-point swing gave them a 14-5 lead in the midst of a set that ended with Troy on top 25-10.

The Trojans topped their second-set effort with a .464 attack percentage in the third set as they topped the Eagles 25-11 thanks in large part to a nine-point run midway through the set.

TROY 3, CHATTANOOGA 1

Troy posted 60 kills to Chattanooga's 46 while posting a .191 attack percentage. Three Trojans were in double figures in kills, led by Blair Winston's 15. Devin Von Pingel posted 12 kills with just one error for a .524 attack percentage.

Alexandra Alexander recorded 43 assists and 11 digs for her seventh double-double in Troy's eight matches. Courtney Cohen led the Trojans with 23 digs while Madeleine Bouillion was also in double figures with 12.

Chattanooga (4-4) was led by Lauren Gainer and Bridget Camacho with 10 kills each while Paula Passmore picked up 41 assists.

Troy fell victim to a Chattanooga run in the first set as the Trojans led 17-10 before the Mocs went on a seven-point run to tie things up at 17-17. Troy again led 21-20 before Chattanooga took a 23-21 lead and captured the first set 25-22.

Despite the early lead, Troy hit just .053 in the first set, but they upped the offensive output to a .267 attack percentage in the second set with 14 kills and two errors. Troy was up three at 10-7 and maintained the lead throughout in a 25-19 second set win.

Troy continued to swing well as they hit .310 in the third set with 18 kills, but despite the numbers, had to come from behind and erase a late 20-18 deficit as they won 25-22.

In the fourth and deciding set, Troy used a five-point run to turn a 15-15 tie into a 20-15 Trojan lead as they capture the match with a 25-20 win.