Troy Falls to Buffalo in Five Sets

Saturday, September 4

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

10 a.m.

Troy University

2-3,0-0Sun Belt

Buffalo

3-3,0-0MAC

Buffalo

Troy

9/4/2021 1:15:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Troy vs. Buffalo Box Score

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TUSCALOOSA, Al. – Troy (2-3) dropped a five-set heart breaker to Buffalo (3-3) Sunday afternoon at Foster Auditorium to wrap up the Crimson Tide Invitational. The Bulls overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Troy, 3-2 (25-16, 25-15, 20-25, 23-25, 6-15).

Julia Brooks led the way again for the Trojans with 18 kills, followed by Caitlin Cooper with 15 and Cheyenne Hayes with 13. Amara Anderson, who tallied 56 assists, was once again the match leader in the category. Lacey Jeffcoat led all players with 20 digs. In her first colligate appearance, Sophie Sparks totaled four kills

Milla Malik led the Bulls with 18 kills and three service aces. As a team, the Bulls had 17 total team blocks compared to only four for Troy.

"We came out with incredible energy and focus, head coach Josh Lauer said. "Buffalo did an excellent job making critical plays in sets three and four, giving them the momentum heading into the fifth set. I think our team is looking forward to a whole week of practice this coming week to improve the consistency of our transition attacking and prepare for another tough road weekend next Friday and Saturday in Chattanooga."

First Set: Trojans started fast, getting a six-point lead with three quick kills from Caitlin Cooper. Caroline Darracott picked up the first service ace of the match to extend the Trojan's lead to 11-2. Buffalo tried to mount a comeback and got within six, but Sophie Sparks came in for the first time this year and picked up her first career kill. Trojans would close the set on a 3-0 run capped off with a Halston Hillier kill to win the set 25-16.

Second Set: After getting down early, Troy rattled off six straight points, with three kills coming from Julia Brooks. Buffalo hung around with a run of their own, but aces from Amara Anderson and Ashley Guenver kept the Bulls at bay. A Sparks kill finished a troy 5-0 run to give the Trojans a 25-15 set win and a 2-0 set advantage.

Third Set: Hayes contributed back-to-back kills to give Troy an early advantage in a match of runs. Buffalo would eventually take the lead after back-to-back kills from Milla Malik and would not give up the lead again. The Trojans did all they could to mount a comeback but would eventually fall 20-25.

Fourth Set: In a set that saw the most tie scores with eight. Natalie Hummel got the Trojans off and running once again with an ace to extend the Trojan's lead to four. Buffalo would even things up at 10 apiece. Being down 17-13, Troy called a crucial timeout that lead to another run which saw Hummel kill and an ace by Guenveur to tie things up again at 19. The Bulls would close out the set after some key blocks 25-23.

Fifth Set: The Trojans never found their footing in the fifth and final set even after Hayes's kill, and Anderson's ace brought the Trojans within six. Buffalo would take the decisive set 15-6 and secure the victory.

Up Next: Troy will have a week to prepare for the Chattanooga Classic, as they are set to take on Virginia Tech, Tennessee Tech, and Chattanooga.