Temple University Athletics
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Temple Volleyball Drops Two At VCU/Third Degree Sportswear Invitational
8.28.09 | Women's Volleyball
Yun Yi Zhang led the Owls with a match-high 54 kills on the day
RICHMOND, VA - The Temple volleyball team started the season with two losses at the VCU/Third Degree Sportswear Invitational, including a heartbreaking five-set loss to host VCU (1-0) as well as a four-set loss to Wright State (2-0).
Senior outside hitter Yun Yi Zhang led the Owls with a match-high 29 kills against VCU and a match-high 25 kills against Wright State, averaging 6.00 kills per set for the day.
Against VCU, Temple lost 25-19 in the first set, but rebounded to take an exciting 27-25 decision in the second set as well as 25-19 win in the third.
The Rams recorded 17 kills to the Owls' nine in the fourth set and won 25-18, tying the match at 2-2.
The teams were tied at 11-11 in the final set before VCU used a 4-1 run to end the match, including a match-winning kill by Mariel Frey, who led the Rams with 17 kills.
Temple junior Ariel Pierre led all players with 26 digs, and junior transfer Jessica Antosz recorded a team-high four blocks to go along with seven kills.
The Owls once again fell behind early against Wright State, dropping the first set, 25-22, but came back to win the second, 25-23. Hitting errors became costly for Temple in the third and fourth sets as they lost 25-21 and 25-19.
Antosz tallied 10 kills vs. Wright State, and Pierre once again led all players with 25 digs, averaging 5.67 digs per set over the two matches. Senior setter Jackie Morrison recorded a double-double in the second match with 42 assists and 14 digs.
The Owls will conclude play in the tournament tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. against St. John's.Temple/VCU Box Score
Temple/Wright State Box Score
