Volleyball prepares for road trip to Louisiana

(PHOTO/Joshua Thurston)

Troy volleyball’s struggles continue as the losing streak grows to four straight due to losses last weekend with a road trip to Louisiana looming.

The Trojan volleyball team (9-16, 4-7) traveled to Little Rock, Ark. this past Friday where the team lost to UALR in three straight sets (31-29, 25-20, 25-14).

The lead hitter for Troy was freshman middle hitter Kiah Cheatham who posted a career high 16 kills in the Friday loss.

On Sunday, the Trojans were back at home playing Texas State, a team that Troy had already fallen to on the road 3-1 on Oct. 18.

This was the Trojan’s second loss against the Bobcats, losing in four sets (25-15, 19-25, 25-23, 25-19).

“You have to give Texas State credit, they executed better than we did,” Head Coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “We need to figure out a way to clean that up and make it better on our side.”

Freshman setter Bruna Souza made a good appearance on the court with 18 digs and 23 assists, and sophomore Ali Dowdall had 18 digs.

Junior outside hitter Marija Zelenovic led the team with 17 kills, while sophomore Blair Winston followed with 14 kills.

“Maria and Blair did a good job at attacking, but we need to spread it out and give our other hitters opportunities,” Kirkpatrick said.

The Trojans will be on the road again this weekend, traveling to Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday at 7 p.m. and ULM on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Troy beat the Ragin’ Cajuns at home on Oct. 4 in straight sets and on Oct. 13 the Trojans turned the same trick sweeping away the Warhawks at home so this road trip could prove prosperous.

The next home game for Troy volleyball is set for Wednesday, Nov. 6 when the Trojans play host to in-state rival South Alabama in Trojan Arena at 7 p.m.