Temple University Athletics
Saint Louis Outlasts Temple Volleyball, 3-2
10.13.07 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 13, 2007
PHILADELPHIA-It was a long and arduous match, with the fifth and final set going three points over the normal 15 point limit, but the Saint Louis Billikens outlasted the Temple Owls, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon in McGonigle Hall. Yun Yi Zhang had a match-high 23 kills to lead the Cherry and White but Temple falls to 7-16, 3-4 in the A-10. Saint Louis improves to 15-5, 4-2 in Conference play.
Temple came out strong in the first game, leading from the first whistle. The Billikens seemed dazed and the Owls capitalized, quickly building an advantage and taking the game, 30-25. Saint Louis came on strong in game two, using nearly a 32% hitting percentage to win 30-24 and tie the score at one. The Owls fought hard, tying the game 10 different times, but SLU was on a roll. The visitors dominated game three, 30-17, and it seemed that they would walk out of McGonigle with their fourth straight 3-1 win. Temple wasn't finished yet, however, overwhelming the Billikens on both offense and defense and took the game 30-21. Temple hit nearly 50% to SLU's five percent. With the raucous crowd on their side, Temple wasn't about to go down without a fight. The teams matched point for point in the final set, neither squad going up by more than two points at a time. The score was tied at 14, 15 and 16 before SLU pulled ahead and took the game, 18-16.
Patricia Vernon had her second straight double-double with 18 kills and 11 digs, while Yue Liu posted 15 kills and four block assists. Sun Ying Ling dug 24 balls and Jacqueline Cowden had a team-high six blocks. Jackie Morrison and Ariel Pierre combined for 47 assists.
Temple takes a break from Conference play when it hosts Villanova on October 17 at 7 p.m.
