ODU volleyball returned home and welcomed Marshall for two days of competition after closing out October with two consecutive road series. The first match took place at the ODU Volleyball Center on Nov. 1 and the series concluded the following day, Nov. 2.
After falling to Southern Miss in their second match of the series, the Monarchs looked to battle back and begin a new win streak while at home. However, the Herd, who was coming off of their own two-match losing streak, swept ODU.
The first set began with the Monarchs and the Herd trading points and short runs. It would eventually be Marshall who got rolling first, using two kills from Audrey Geer and offensive errors from ODU to go on a 5-0 run. Past the halfway point, the Monarchs would close the gap with a 4-0 run to make the score 18-17, which was made possible by kills from Emma Schelah, Ashlynn Belcher, and Elisa Maggi. ODU would fight for the lead as the set neared its end, but a kill from Olivia Fogo would give Marshall the first set with a 25-23 score.
The Monarchs came out strong in the second set, using consecutive kills from Maggi and two attack errors to put them up 4-0. However, a 10-0 run from the Herd would bring the set to its halfway point with a 15-11 Marshall lead. ODU would battle back, but a 5-0 run from Marshall would give them a comfortable lead in courtesy of ODU’s offensive errors. An attack error from Hailee Blankenship would give the Herd a 25-19 win.
The third set looked like it could have been anyone. The Monarchs kicked it off with short runs thanks to Maggi and LeeAnne Lowery’s kills, but a 6-0 run from the Herd would bring the set to its midway point with the Monarchs down 15-11. A late 4-0 run from ODU would give them the lead back after offensive errors from Marshall. Points were then traded back and forth before a kill from Lowery and an attack error would give the Monarchs a 25-23 win and force a fourth set.
Similarly to the third set, the score margin in the fourth set was tight, with kills being traded back and forth between both teams. By the halfway point, Marshall had a 15-13 lead, however, a late 4-0 run from the Herd would bring them to match point. While a kill from Myah Conway would postpone their victory, a kill from Fogo would end the set with a 25-19 score and give Marshall the match.
Despite the loss, both Conway and Maggi recorded double-doubles, with 19 kills and 11 digs coming from Conway and 18 kills and 14 digs coming from Maggi. Belcher also led both teams in assists with 51. As a team, ODU led in kills (60-49), assists (55-47), and digs (59-50), though Marshall would lead in blocks (12-6) and aces (9-6).
The Herd began the second match with a 3-0 run in courtesy of two attack errors and a kill from Brynn Brown. Marshall would keep their lead for the remainder of the set, and a comfortable one at that, as by the halfway point the Herd was up 17-11. ODU would try to respond, but they were ultimately unable to create long runs, and a kill from Fogo would secure a 25-18 Marshall win.
ODU took the lead early in the second set with a Maggi kill and Fogo attack error. Their lead would last close to the midway point of the set, until a 3-0 run from the Herd would put them up 15-12. As the set neared its end, numerous kills from Conway would prevent Marshall from reaching match point, though a Fogo kill would soon end the set and give Marshall a 25-21 win.
An early 7-0 run from Marshall would give them a lead that they once again would keep for the remainder of the third set, made possible by attack errors and kills. ODU would respond with a 6-0 run thanks to a couple of kills from both Conway and Blankenship to try and keep the score close. Late into the set, the Monarchs would try to close the gap, but a kill from Geer would give the Herd a 25-22 win and a sweep over the Monarchs.
Both teams led in the same categories as the previous match, with ODU accounting for 40 kills, 39 assists, and 58 digs while Marshall had five blocks and eight aces. Belcher had a 33 assist and 16 dig double-double, while Conway led the team in kills with 17.
These losses bring ODU’s record to 15-8 overall and 4-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. They are in sixth place in their division.
The Monarchs will look to bounce back next weekend as they travel to Harrisonburg to take on the James Madison Dukes. JMU has swept the Monarchs in each of the four matches that they have played against each other, with their first-ever meeting being played in October 2022.
