Nov. 9, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Marshall University senior outside hitter Stephanie Cahill tallied a match-high 20 kills and 13 digs to help lift the Herd to a 3-0 (30-15, 30-28, 30-26) sweep of UAB in Friday night's Conference USA volleyball match in Birmingham, Ala.

With the win, Marshall wins its eight-consecutive match and 15th of its last 16 to improve to 21-8 overall, 14-1 C-USA, while UAB falls to 21-8 overall, and 11-4 in conference play.

"We're halfway there," head coach Mitch Jacobs said following the win. "I am very proud of the way were able to play tonight and we're going to do everything in our power to keep on winning."

Leading 2-0 in the match, the Herd posted a 20-14 lead before UAB was able to pull to within four at 22-18. Marshall extended its lead to 28-21 following three kills apiece by Cahill and senior outside hitter Kelly-Anne Billingy. Following a kill by junior middle hitter Jalicia Ross, the Blazers were able to fight off five match-points, before Ross tallied her 11th kill of the night to seal the victory for the Herd.

"Steph Cahill was unreal tonight," Jacobs said of the senior. "Her serve receive was excellent, her passing was solid, she was amazing tonight." Jacobs also added that Ross, who's 11 kills on 18 swings with no errors, was the second time in three matches, that the junior had committed no attacking errors.  

Cahill finished the match with a .545 hitting percentage, while Ross tallied a .611 clip for the contest.

Freshman setter Elizabeth Fleming tallied a match-high 56 assists in the win averaging 18.67 per game and guided the Herd to a team hitting mark of .406. Fleming also tallied 11 digs for her eighth double-double of the season.

"Liz ran the offense real well tonight," Jacobs said of the first-year setter. "A team that hits .406 means that the setters and passers are doing a heck of a job."

After fighting to 11 ties and three lead changes in the second game, Marshall used a kill by Billingy and an attacking error by the Blazers to earn a two-game cushion in the contest.

The Herd built a 21-10 lead in the first frame and didn't look back, scoring nine of the next 14 points to post a convincing 30-15 victory.

Billingy totaled 17 kills and added 12 digs, while senior libero Maggie Arias tallied a match-high 15 digs.

Marshall concludes regular season action Sunday, Nov. 11 when it travels to Memphis, Tenn. Match-time is set for 2:00 p.m. EST against the Tigers.

Marshall will host the 2007 Conference USA Championship on Nov. 15 to the 18th at the Cam Henderson Center and ticket prices are as follows:

Adult Advance:

$8/Day

$25/Tournament

Adult Walk-up:

$10/Day

$30/Tournament

Youth Advance:

$6/Day

$20/Tournament

Youth Walk-up:

$8/Day

$25 Walk-up

$15 Tournament Pre-Sale Group Rate (Groups larger than 10)