The Thundering Herd volleyball team lost its fourth consecutive match Tuesday night as it fell to nationally ranked Ohio State at the Cam Henderson Center. Photo by Arron Pendleton

Buckeyes best Herd

by MICHAEL ADAMS
reporter

After losing four straight matches in the this past weekend at the Hokie Classic at Virginia Tech, women's volleyball coach Steffi Legall headed into Tuesday's contest against Ohio State with little confidence, but left with more.

Marshall lost the match 0-3, but Legall said she was pleased with the team's performance.

"That was probably the best team we played so far," Legall said. "I think it was a good confidence builder for us to head into our conference games."

Ohio State jumped to a 6-3 lead in the first game before senior outside hitter Wendy Williams served for three straight points to tie the game.

The Buckeye's regained service control after a Thundering Herd hit into the net. OSU's Erin Treadway served for another score to put the Buckeyes up by one.

After three side-outs, freshman setter Andrea Kastein served for Marshall's eighth point of the game.

Ohio State would come back to take a 13-8 lead, but Williams answered the Buckeye's lead and scored two service points to bring the game to 13-10.

Ohio State scored the final two points of the first game for the win.

"We stuck with them," Williams said. "The score was real close the whole match."

The second game didn't go as well for the Thundering Herd.

Ohio State jumped out to an early 9-0 lead before senior defensive specialist Nora Keithley scored Marshall's first point of the second game with a service ace.

After an Ohio State side out, Marshall would score off a freshman Andrea Kastein serve that Ohio State hit into the net.

The Buckeyes answered, adding a point to bring the score to 10-2. The Thundering Herd would again score off a freshman Shannon O'Connor serve, but would only score twice more before Ohio State would take the second game 15-5.

In the third game, Marshall jumped out to an early lead, but fell victim to three straight points off Ohio State's Susie Calligaris' serve.

Marshall would bounce back and score off a block from freshman Sara Boyle bringing the game to 2-3.

Ohio State scored again before Marshall answered with a point off sophomore Jodi Fick's serve.

With the score 8-5 in favor of Ohio State, Ohio State's Katie Virtue dove after a ball and slid into the scorer's table and suffered a slight laceration to the thigh, stopping play and allowing Marshall to regroup and make a comeback.

The Thundering Herd would score off three straight serves from Fick before siding out.

The Buckeyes answered with a point of their own, but lost serve on the next play.

Marshall would score off a hard block from senior Kate Schultz, but again side out to Ohio State.

Ohio State scored three points after a series of side outs bringing the score to 12-8. Marshall would make one last attempt to win the game, but would fall short losing 15-12.

"I am extremely pleased with our performance," Legall said. "I have said from the beginning, we are preparing for our conference."

Legall said she was pleased with her young team's showing against Ohio State, who came into the contest with a perfect 3-0 record and a top 25 national ranking.

"The young kids are very athletic and very talented," Legall said. "I think we left with a lot of confidence."

Marshall will be in action again 7 p.m. Saturday against Wright State in the Adidas-Stone Lodge Invitational at the Cam Henderson Center.