Volleyball team fails to snap losing streak

The Trojan volleyball team went on the road this weekend and lost two five-set matches. The team has now lost nine straight matches, including six matches that went to five sets.

Troy started well at UL-Monroe on Friday, Oct. 10, taking the first set 25-21. The Warhawks would bounce back and take the second set 25-23.

The Trojans took the third set 25-18 and needed only one more set to end the losing streak. However, Troy lost the fourth set 25-15, and as a team had a .000 attack percentage during that set.

The Warhawks would also take the fifth set, 15-10, as Troy again had a low attack percentage: .056.

Senior outside hitter Marija Zelenovic and junior outside hitter Blair Winston led the team with 15 kills each. Junior setter Tineille Waggoner had 42 assists, while junior libero Ali Dowdall led the defense with 18 digs.

The Trojans didn’t have long to dwell on the loss, as they faced UL-Lafayette the next night.

Unfortunately for Troy, this match’s script looked similar to the day before.The Trojans took the first set 25-21. Once again, they would drop the second set, this time 25-13.

The Trojans responded out of the half by taking the third set 25-21 and yet again were one set away from ending the losing streak. UL-Lafayette won the fourth set 25-20 to force a deciding fifth set.

The Trojans fought in the fifth set and at one point were losing only 5-4, but the Ragin’ Cajuns scored the next five points  to lead the Trojans 10-4.

UL-Lafayette went on to take the set 15-8 and won the match 3-2.

Zelenovic and Winston led the team with 12 kills, while Waggoner had 42 assists. Dowdall had 17 digs, but Waggoner led the team in that category with 20.

The Trojans will face UALR this Friday, Oct. 17, at Trojan Arena at 6 p.m. and host UT Arlington on Sunday, Oct. 19, at noon.