Troy Advances in Sun Belt Tournament with Upset Over Marshall

FOLEY, Ala. – The Troy University volleyball team advanced to the Sun Belt Championship quarterfinals after defeating Marshall University 3-1 in the first round on Thursday evening.

The match began with a strong performance from Marshall, who won the first set 25-16. The Thundering Herd showcased a balanced offense and strong net play.

Troy, however, quickly turned the tide, winning the next three sets (25-20, 27-25, 25-13) to secure the victory. The Trojans’ comeback featured a career-high five service aces from player Kwiatkowski, sparking their offensive momentum.

Marshall’s head coach expressed pride in his team, stating, “Earning a spot in the tournament is a huge accomplishment. Credit to Troy—they were defensively sound tonight and made it tough for us.”

The match’s turning point came in the third set, where Troy was trailing but came back to clinch a crucial 27-25 victory. With the match on the line, both teams fought fiercely, leading to a 24-24 tie before Troy took the lead.

Troy dominated the fourth set, hitting .320 and securing six service aces. Coach Rigby praised her team’s composure, saying, “Tonight, Olivia and Jaci really kept us composed and in the match early.”

Marshall’s standout player recorded a season-high 11 blocks, contributing significantly to their defensive efforts. Despite a strong start, the Herd could not maintain their lead.

The Trojans will face top-seeded James Madison in the next round on Friday at 4:30 p.m. CT. The Dukes are looking to rebound after a recent losing streak.