Marshall Volleyball Faces Georgia Southern at Cam Henderson Center

Marshall volleyball hosts Georgia Southern for two Sun Belt Conference matches on Thursday, Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 30 at the Cam Henderson Center. Both matches are set for 6 p.m.

The Herd holds a 14-7 overall record and a 7-3 mark in conference play. That follows a road sweep of Old Dominion. Georgia Southern carries a 15-7 record, also with a 7-3 conference mark, after sweeping James Madison last weekend.

Marshall opened the Old Dominion series with a three-set win on Friday. The Herd took the sets 25-17, 25-23 and 25-14. Saturday's match went four sets. Marshall dropped the opening set 26-24, then won the next three: 26-24, 25-17 and 25-23.

Sophomore Emma Barnett posted a double-double in both matches. She finished Friday with 12 kills and 10 digs. Saturday she recorded 12 kills and 13 digs. Beatrice Ciccarelli and Carys Kerr each added 10 kills Saturday. Marae Reilly tallied seven blocks in that match.

Barnett said the team's goals have shifted from last season. "I think last year it was like we were just trying to get into conference tournament. We know we're in the tournament now and we're trying to win it," Barnett said.

Georgia Southern swept James Madison in straight sets Friday: 25-23, 25-17, 25-21. The Eagles dropped the opening set Saturday 25-20 before rallying to win 25-21, 25-15, 25-22. Beka Pfefferkorn led Georgia Southern with 13 kills Friday and 21 kills Saturday at a .459 hitting clip. Reagan Barth posted 14 kills, 21 digs and six blocks Saturday. Setter Lexi Duffy handed out 49 assists in that match.

Marshall head coach Heather Stout said Georgia Southern carries several attacking threats, including outside hitters Reagan Barth and Sam Bowron. Stout said the Herd must serve well, defend consistently and build a strong block. She also stressed limiting opposing service runs and forcing points through multiple rotations.

Barnett said the team will keep its focus on its own side of the net while reading Georgia Southern's defense. "Yeah, I think obviously we look at their block a little bit, where they're standing at on defense and all that, but ultimately coach always says it comes down to what we're going to do on our side, not what they're doing," Barnett said. "So, we're just going to keep ripping and it's going to score at one point."

Stout said the Herd has positioned itself to compete for a Sun Belt championship. "We have the women in the locker room to do it," Stout said. "It's just going to take work and it's going to take us being in a good mental space."