Martin Sets WSU Volleyball Career Block Assist Record In Win

Friday, September 14

Bowling Green, KY

5:00 PM

Washington State University

9-0

Western Kentucky

7-5

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Washington State	22	25	25	25	3
WKU	25	17	14	23	1

Martin Sets WSU Volleyball Career Block Assist Record In Win

September 14, 2018 | Volleyball

Box Score

WSU snaps Western Kentucky's 28-match home winning streak

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE…
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- The Cougars of Washington State (9-0), after falling in the opening set to Western Kentucky, stormed back to win three straight sets to remain undefeated on the season, winning 3-1 overall.

Senior Claire Martin totaled eight block assists in this contest to put her at 426 career block assists, surpassing Carrie Couturier (1988-91) who totaled 420 throughout her WSU Volleyball career.

Set scores for the match were: 22-25, 25-17, 25-14, and 25-23.

The opening set of this match saw this two nonconference adversaries battling for a lead, as both programs not only trading points early on, but lead changes as well, being tied up at 9-9 to start this contest. A small 4-1 run from the Hilltoppers swung enough momentum that the home squad was able to maintain that slim lead for the remainder of the set, winning it over Washington State, 25-22.

The Cougars returned in set number two firing from the start, taking the 6-3 lead over WKU after service aces from Penny Tusa, and Alexis Dirige, along with a kill from McKenna Woodford. WSU saw opportunity to grow that lead out to 14-8 midway through the set, as Tusa notched yet another ace, and Woodford provided yet another kill. Points were traded back-and-forth once again late in the set, but a momentum swinging kill from Taylor Mims sealed the set win at 25-14.

Western Kentucky got an early 5-2 jump to begin set three in contest, and continued holding onto a lead midway through at 11-7 overall. The Cougars hit their stride after a big kill from Ella Lajos, and went on to generate an 8-0 run, gaining the 15-11 advantage over WKU. Washington State was not done yet however, creating a 6-0 run with kills by Jocelyn Urias, and Martin to jump out to a 21-2 lead. Abby Phillips helped cap off the set three victory with a service ace as well.

The fourth and final set of this match-up featured another intense battle for position early on from both squads, featuring four ties, and four lead changes, until a 5-0 run from the Cougs provided a cushion at 9-5. The Hilltoppers were able to build a run of their own through the midway point in this set, tying up the score at 15-15 overall. A 5-2 point swing in favor of WSU aided in the Cougars holding a slim advantage over WKU, until match point and a Martin, Urias block clinched the set victory for Washington State at 25-23, and the match at 3-1.

STAT OF THE MATCH
Claire Martin totaled eight block assists in the match-up, which saw her surpass 421 career block assists in a Cougar uniform to make her the all-time leader in WSU Volleyball history in the stat category.

THE MOMENTS THAT MADE THE MATCH

Congratulations to @C_Martin12 on recording block assist number 421, and becoming the all-time career leader in BA, in WSU Volleyball history!! #GoCougs #RiseAgain pic.twitter.com/QC0NvEkkPU
— Cougar Volleyball (@wsuvolleyball) September 15, 2018

ICYMI: @C_Martin12 recording block assist number 421 in tonight's win over Western Kentucky! #GoCougs #RiseAgain pic.twitter.com/bAoZa8zYJ2
— Cougar Volleyball (@wsuvolleyball) September 15, 2018

S2 | ACE from @penina_5_penny as Western Kentucky will call a timeout! | WSU 13-8 #GoCougs #RiseAgain pic.twitter.com/62o1ZYrzaF
— Cougar Volleyball (@wsuvolleyball) September 15, 2018

NOTES…

The No. 22 ranked Cougars remain perfect this season at 9-0 overall.
WSU snaps Western Kentucky's 28-match home winning streak.
Woodford (14), Lajos (13), and Mims (11) all totaled double-digit kills on the night.
Setter Ashley Brown recorded a match-high 39 assists, along with posting 11 digs for the double-double.
WSU tallied 13.5 total blocks compared Western Kentucky's 5.0 overall.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR…
The Cougars hit the court once again tomorrow morning, Saturday, Sept. 15, in the final match of the WKU Tournament against East Tennessee State with first serve slated for 9 a.m. PT.