Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Cassie Weaver posted 12 kills for Marshall University as the Thundering Herd earned a 3-0 win over the University of Evansville volleyball team on Friday evening in the opening match of the Indiana Invitational at University Gym.
 
Weaver was the lone player to record double digit kills in the match.  Evansville was led by sophomore Mildrelis Rodriguez, who posted eight kills.  She also notched seven digs.  Freshman Rachel Tam got better as play went on, finishing with six kills, four coming in the final set.  Olivia Goldstein led UE with 10 digs while Jelena Merseli had 13 assists.
 
"We started very slow and we played very young.  We wanted to give them an opportunity because they have been working so hard," Aces head coach Manolo Concepcion said.  "Once we got more confidence, we were able to battle with them.  When we were able to pass, our offense was there.  Tomorrow, we want to get better with our decision-making and continue to emphasize good habits and playing within the system."
 
An early run saw Marshall take control in the opening frame.  Up 4-2, the Thundering Herd scored 11 of the next 12 points to go up by a score of 15-3.  They would continue to add to that lead before finishing with the 25-8 win.  Cassie Weaver led MU with six kills in the set.
 
Evansville performed better in the second set as Mildrelis Rodriguez notched three kills.  After falling behind by a 9-4 score, the Aces got it in gear as kills by Rachel Tam and Elizabeth GIller saw UE get back within a pair at 9-7.  Marshall rebounded as they went up by a 20-11 margin and finished off with a 25-16 victory.
 
Deja Clark helped Evansville get off to a 4-2 start in the third game.  Her kill saw UE cap off scoring four of the first six tallies.  After the Herd tied it up at 4-4, the game was tied on 10 occasions leading to a 14-14 score.  MU recorded the next two points, but Evansville rallied back, tying it up at 16-16 before taking a 20-19 advantage.  The Herd got its groove back at that time, scoring the final six points of the match to finish the win.
 
Tomorrow, the Aces continue the Indiana Invitational against the host Hoosiers at 11 a.m. CT before taking on Northern Kentucky at 4 p.m. CT.
 

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