Troy University Athletics
Friday, September 16
Troy, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
6-5,0-0Sun Belt
3
vs
1
Gardner-Webb
2-9,0-0Big South
1
2
3
4
F
Gardner-Webb
13
25
22
15
1
Troy
25
21
25
25
3
Troy Victorious on Second Night of Trojan Invitational
9/16/2022 9:41:00 PM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – Troy volleyball made it two wins in two nights at the Trojan Invitational with a 3-1 victory (25-13, -21-25, 25-22, 25-15 over Gardner-Webb Friday night from Trojan Arena.
"We felt we were more physical than they were," head coach Josh Lauer said. "I thought we played fundamental volleyball throughout the night with contributions from everyone on the team. I loved the energy we had tonight, which will help us move forward tomorrow and beyond."
Getting her first start of the season for Troy (6-5), sophomore Sophie Sparks notched a new career high with eight kills, in addition to another 20-kill night from Tori Hester, who finished with 23, and freshman Amiah Butler saw her six double-digit kill matches of the season with 15 kills.
Freshman Sara Bates recorded six aces, the highest of any Trojan this season and a new career high. Amara Anderson sits 54 assists away from breaking the all-time career record here at Troy after a 49-assist night.
The Running-Bulldogs (2-9) was led by Kylee Garrison, who knocked down a team-high 14 kills, with Morgan Hornaday with 22 assists, while Sophia Bolden was the only Gardner-Webb player to record double-digit kills with 10.
Set 1: Troy connected for 16 kills alone in the first set, which was the most of the match, hitting at a .483 clip. Through the first 18 points, it was all tied at 9-9, going back and forth. Then, Hester recorded a kill, and Troy would outscore the visitors 15-4 for a 25-13 victory.
Set 2: Gardner-Webb got the better of Troy in the second set as there were only two tie scores and one lead change that came at 3-2 after an attack error by Hester. The Running-Bulldogs held on to the lead the rest of the set despite Troy having one more kill in the stats. Troy was able to get within two after back-to-back attack errors from Garrison, but Troy's own error and a service ace gave Gardner-Webb the set win.
Set 3: Butler led the set with four kills as she soared through the air sending unstoppable balls in the opposite direction finishing with a .429 hitting percentage. After a kill by Julia Brooks gave Troy a 6-5 advantage, Bates came on and delivered Troy three straight service aces giving the Trojans all the momentum. Troy went on to win 25-22, with Hester once again finishing the set-off.
Set 4: Troy asserted their dominance in set four with an eight-point run to jump out to a 12-4 lead. Gardner-Webb got back within two points at 13-11 before Troy used another big run outscoring their opponents 12-4 to close the set and the match.
Up Next: Troy will look for the Trojan Invitational sweep tomorrow as they close the weekend against Jacksonville at 2 p.m. from Trojan Arena.
"We felt we were more physical than they were," head coach Josh Lauer said. "I thought we played fundamental volleyball throughout the night with contributions from everyone on the team. I loved the energy we had tonight, which will help us move forward tomorrow and beyond."
Getting her first start of the season for Troy (6-5), sophomore Sophie Sparks notched a new career high with eight kills, in addition to another 20-kill night from Tori Hester, who finished with 23, and freshman Amiah Butler saw her six double-digit kill matches of the season with 15 kills.
Freshman Sara Bates recorded six aces, the highest of any Trojan this season and a new career high. Amara Anderson sits 54 assists away from breaking the all-time career record here at Troy after a 49-assist night.
The Running-Bulldogs (2-9) was led by Kylee Garrison, who knocked down a team-high 14 kills, with Morgan Hornaday with 22 assists, while Sophia Bolden was the only Gardner-Webb player to record double-digit kills with 10.
Set 1: Troy connected for 16 kills alone in the first set, which was the most of the match, hitting at a .483 clip. Through the first 18 points, it was all tied at 9-9, going back and forth. Then, Hester recorded a kill, and Troy would outscore the visitors 15-4 for a 25-13 victory.
Set 2: Gardner-Webb got the better of Troy in the second set as there were only two tie scores and one lead change that came at 3-2 after an attack error by Hester. The Running-Bulldogs held on to the lead the rest of the set despite Troy having one more kill in the stats. Troy was able to get within two after back-to-back attack errors from Garrison, but Troy's own error and a service ace gave Gardner-Webb the set win.
Set 3: Butler led the set with four kills as she soared through the air sending unstoppable balls in the opposite direction finishing with a .429 hitting percentage. After a kill by Julia Brooks gave Troy a 6-5 advantage, Bates came on and delivered Troy three straight service aces giving the Trojans all the momentum. Troy went on to win 25-22, with Hester once again finishing the set-off.
Set 4: Troy asserted their dominance in set four with an eight-point run to jump out to a 12-4 lead. Gardner-Webb got back within two points at 13-11 before Troy used another big run outscoring their opponents 12-4 to close the set and the match.
Up Next: Troy will look for the Trojan Invitational sweep tomorrow as they close the weekend against Jacksonville at 2 p.m. from Trojan Arena.
Team Stats
GW
TROY
Kills
36
57
Errors
16
20
Attempts
94
124
Hitting %
.213
.298
Points
50
75
Assists
32
55
Aces
6
11
Blocks
8
7
Game Leaders
Kills
23
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
Setter
/ Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ VolleyballMiddle Hitter
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
/ VolleyballOutside Hitter
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