Box Score

Sophomore Amber Sims pounded 17 kills in MU's win over the Rockets on Saturday.

TOLEDO, Ohio – Marshall was able to rebound from a nearly three hour match on Friday in a losing effort at Eastern Michigan to defeat the Toledo Rockets in a key Mid-American Conference volleyball match at Savage Hall, 3-1, on Saturday by scores of 27-30, 30-18, 30-19, 30-28.

Marshall (17-14, 7-7 MAC) was led by a stellar effort from sophomore Amber Sims (Ney, Ohio). Sims tallied a career-high 17 kills in 26 attempts with only one error for an astounding .615 attack percentage. The middle blocker also contributed seven blocks, giving her 38 blocks in her past six matches.

“Sims had a masterful performance tonight,” Marshall head coach Mitch Jacobs said.

Christin Bimberg (Schwerin, Germany) tied her career-high with 20 kills, matching her kill output in the Oct. 10 win over Ball State.

Marshall dropped the first game of the match, but controlled play in the next two games before holding on for a two-point win in game four.

“The first game was all about offense and that’s not our game,” Jacobs said. “We’re better off when our defense is holding the opposing offense.

“This has been the story for us the entire year (splitting a two-match weekend), so it’s huge for us to have come back after the Eastern Michigan loss last night.”

Freshman Anja Wilk (Plate, Germany) gave the Herd a jolt of energy off the bench in the form of seven blocks and six kills. Wilk had two hitting errors in her first two attempts, but bounced back to post a .400 hitting percentage in 10 attempts.

“The readiness of Anja Wilk tonight was a big key in the win,” Jacobs said. “She was incredible.”

The Rockets (10-19, 5-10 MAC) were led by Kelsey Culver and Carrie McCaw’s 13 kills apiece. McCaw also added 41 assists. Toledo hit at a .087 clip compared to the Herd’s team hitting percentage of .333.

“Anytime you get a hitting percentage that high, you have to look to your setter. Katie Stein was phenomenal in the match,” Jacobs said.

Stein, a Sussex, Wis., native, recorded 53 assists to go with 14 digs, the only double-double of the night. Nickie Sanlin (Fairview Heights, Ill.) piloted the Marshall block party with eight blocks, leading the Thundering Herd to a 19-10 advantage in that category.

With the win, Marshall inches closer toward securing a home match in the first round of the MAC Tournament. The Herd returns home for the final two matches of the regular season, playing host to Buffalo on Nov. 14 before welcoming the Kent State Golden Flashes on Nov. 15. Both matches start at 7 p.m. Friday’s match versus the Bulls will be Parent/Fan Appreciation Night, while Saturday’s contest versus KSU will be Senior Night.