Sept. 1, 2001

Stats

HOUSTON, Texas - The Samford Bulldogs wrapped up their first tournament of the 2001 season with a 3-1 loss to Houston in the Crowne Plaza Rice Invitational Saturday afternoon.

Despite going 0-4 on the weekend, Samford showed signs of positive things to come. The Bulldogs went five games against Rice on Friday night and took a game off the defending Conference USA champion Houston.

"We played very well in spirts," said head coach Vickie Nichols. "We just need to find our consistency."

Whitney Miller was named to the All-Tournament team by once again leading the Bulldogs with her second double-double of the tournament. She posted 14 kills while hitting .258 and added 10 digs. Shellie Ouldhouse had nine kills and 12 digs while Krista Kettering added 37 assists and a team-high 17 digs.

Houston (2-2) was led by UCLA-transfer Jennifer Wittenburg who record a match-high 26 kills and 22 digs and Jenny Tanneberger with 15 kills and a .438 hitting percentage.

Samford will return to action next Friday at the Magnolia Classic hosted by the University of Mississippi. The Bulldogs will face Ole Miss and Arkansas State on Friday and Southern Miss. and UT-Martin on Saturday.