Trojans Advance to Quarterfinals After Beating Little Rock 3-1

Thursday, November 18

Foley, Ala.

7:30 PM

Troy University

17-11,9-7Sun Belt

Little Rock

14-15,5-11Sun Belt

Little Rock

Troy

Trojans Advance to Quarterfinals After Beating Little Rock 3-1

11/18/2021 10:32:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Troy Athletics Communications

FOLEY, Ala.- After going down in the first set, the Trojans came storming back to win three straight sets and beat Little Rock 3-1 (19-25, 27-25, 25-9, 25-23) on Thursday night to advance to the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Troy (17-11) was led by senior Cheyenne Hayes, who had a match-high 15 kills on .387 hitting. Tori Hester followed with another double-double recording 13 kills and 10 digs on the night. After receiving All-Conference second-team honors, Amara Anderson had a match-high 35 assists and 14 digs for her ninth double-double on the season. The Trojans had a season-high 15 blocks on the night.

Little Rock (14-15) only had one player with double-digit kills as Nedima Kamberovic finished with 10. Leigh Maher had a match-high 26 digs. Little Rock finished the match, only hitting .49 on the night.

"That was a good win against a physical, well-coached Little Rock team," head coach Josh Lauer said. "I thought our defensive execution was really good tonight, and our pin attackers just got stronger and stronger as the night went on. But one of the real difference-makers in the match was the serving of Natalie Hummel and Isabella Mitchell. Overall, a terrific team victory tonight."

Set 1: It was a slow start for Troy as Little Rock would go on a six-point run and as the Trojans failed to find any attacking rhythm. With the score of 20-13 in favor of Little Rock, Troy fought back, starting with a Julia Brooks kill, followed by Little Rock attacking errors and two kills from Tori Hester, got the set back within three points at 21-18. But the comeback was stifled as Little Rock would respond with a run of their own and take the set 25 19.

Set 2: The second set was much more of a back-and-forth affair as there would be 11 tie scores and five lead changes. The Trojans had 15 kills in the second set alone, which was the most during the match. The two teams traded points up until a Hester service ace gave the Trojans the much-needed momentum. Little Rock could fight off two set points, but another kill from Troy's first-team all-conference selection, Julia Brooks, followed by a Little Rock attack error, tied the match up and one set all.

Set 3: The Trojans seized the third set by getting an early five-point lead capped off by a Natalie Hummel service ace. That would be the closest Little Rock would get as Troy got nine straight points to put the set out of reach and won 25-9.

Set 4: Little Rock made Troy work in set four as they took a three-point lead heading into the media timeout. With it tied again at 20-20, Hayes did what she had been doing all night and picked up a kill to give the Trojans the lead for good. Hayes finished the set picking up the last three Trojan kills to push the Trojans through into the next round.

Up Next: Troy will play Texas State in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals at 7:30 pm on Friday, November 19. The match will stream on ESPN+