Nov. 18, 2005

Box Score

Ninth-seeded UCF gave Conference USA regular season champs Marshall a run for their money as the Golden Knights picked up games one and two, forcing the Thundering Herd to win three straight stanzas in order to advance to the semifinals. But with Nickie Sanlin's 18 kills and Uche Ndubisi's energy the top-seeded Herd defeated an impressive UCF squad in the first match of C-USA quarterfinal action held at Rice's Autry Court.

"First of all, you have to completely appreciate the way UCF played today," said Marshall head coach, Mitch Jacobs, who was named C-USA Coach of the Year earlier in the week. "They were coming off of a tough win (in the first round) and had a great rhythm entering the match. I told my players that is exactly what tournament time is all about."

Maina Heming and Schanell Neiderworder came ready to play today as the two collected 38 of UCF's 70 kills. Each tallied 19 for the match. UCF earned game one with a score of 30-24 on a .271 hitting percentage. Game two was much of the same as the Knight's posted a .457 attack percentage and tallied eight more kills than the Herd, winning the set 30-23.

But Marshall's defense improved following the break as the Herd held the Knight's to a .051 hitting percentage. Sanlin rattled off five of her eventual 18 kills in game three, while teammate and Setter of the Year Katie Stein dished out 12 assists.

"At break I just told the players to appreciate how the competition was playing and adjust some things that we were doing," stated Jacobs. "That was the first time we've seen UCF at full strength and our method of fighting back was to stay in the match long enough to eventually turn the momentum."

As one of five double-digit kill performers, Player of the Year Kelly-Anne Billingy posted 14 kills and 11 digs for the winning effort. Stein earned her second triple-double of the season with 10 kills, 10 digs and 50 assists. Stephanie Cahill and Amber Sims both had 10 kills apiece against the Knights.

With the win, Marshall improves to 24-5 overall, the most victories since 1995, when the Herd was 25-11. Marshall will advance to semifinal action tomorrow facing the winner of fourth-seeded UTEP and fifth-seeded East Carolina.

For complete C-USA Championship coverage, please go to: C-USA Tournament Central.

2005 C-USA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 17, 2005:
Match 1 - (9) UCF def. (8) Memphis, 3-1 (22-30, 30-24, 30-24, 30-24)
Match 2 - (5) East Carolina def. (12) Southern Miss, 3-0 (30-21, 32-30, 30-27)
Match 3 - (11) Tulane def. (6) Rice, 3-2 (31-33, 30-23, 30-27, 18-30, 15-13)
Match 4 - (7) SMU def. (10) UAB, 3-1 (27-30, 30-28, 30-26, 30-21)

Friday, November 18, 2005 (Quarterfinals):
Match 5 - (1) Marshall def. UCF, 3-2 (24-30, 23-30, 30-25, 30-23, 15-10)
Match 6 - (4) UTEP vs. East Carolina, 3 p.m.
Match 7 - (3) Tulsa vs. Tulane, 6 p.m.
Match 8 - (2) Houston vs. SMU, 8 p.m.

Saturday, November 19, 2005 (Semifinals):
Match 9 - Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 6, 5 p.m.
Match 10 - Winner of Match 7 vs. Winner of Match 8, 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 20, 2005 (Championship):
Match 11 - Championship Match (CSTV), 4 p.m.

All Times Central.
All matches will be played at Autry Court, Houston, Texas.