TROY, Ala. - After ULM took the first set 25-23, the Troy Trojans rallied to win the next three sets and handed the Warhawks their eighth straight loss.
The Warhawks (4-13, 0-8 Sun Belt) received double-doubles from junior left side hitter Blanca Ocana (15 kills, 23 assists) and senior outside hitter Zuzana Markova (12 kills, 20 assists). Sophomore libero Marcela Araya played as an attacker and recorded a career-high eight kills. Defensively, Araya chipped in a team-high 21 digs.
In the first set, the Trojans (15-8, 6-2 Sun Belt) seemed to be in control with a 16-9 lead. After ULM coach Ernest Vasquez called his second timeout of the set, ULM regrouped and outscored 11-4 to tie the set at 20 all. The Warhawks closed out the set to win the opener 25-23.
In the second set, Troy climbed out to a 15-9 lead. After a ULM timeout, the Warhawks would draw within one of Troy at 20-19. The Warhawks eventually tied things up at 23-all and fought off one set point. The Trojans, however, would score two straight after a 24-all tie to win 26-24 and go into the set break with the match even at 1-1.
The Trojans used the momentum from winning a thrilling second set to win the third set 25-15 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
There fourth set saw 14 tie scores and four lead changes. ULM took a 10-9 lead, but Troy quickly regained the edge and led 15-13 before ULM went on a 4-2 rally to tie things at 17 apiece. The Warhawks and Trojans would be tied as late as 23-23. At that point, Troy used its final timeout and closed out the set 25-23 to win the match 3-1.
Troy was led by Kayla Pickart and Blair Winston's 16 kills each. Alexandra Alexander was credited with 51 assists. Courtney Cohen chipped in 20 digs defensively.
The Warhawks return home to the ULM Activity Center for 4 p.m. match against Florida Atlantic on Friday, October 19.
