Sept. 8, 2000

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University junior Shellie Ouldhouse had a match-high 20 kills to lead a short-handed Bulldog volleyball team to a five-game marathon win over Belmont University on the first day of the State Farm/Samford Classic at Seibert Hall.

Samford, playing with only eight players due to injuries, placed three players in double-figures in both kills and digs to earn a dramatic victory in a match that took over two hours to play to improve to 4-1 on the season.

Junior Whitney Miller had 17 kills and 12 digs, freshman Ashley Fulton had 15 kills and 13 digs, and senior Shaliece Hall added 12 kills and 16 digs for the Bulldogs.

Belmont (0-5) came out strong in game one and took the opener 15-13. The Bruins also had three players finish with double-doubles. Kristen Moore had 17 kills and 15 digs, Kati Baumgartner had 13 kills and 12 digs, and Katie Linde finished with 11 kills and 11 digs.

Samford took control of the match in games two and three winning 17-15 and 15-6. The Bulldogs held the Bruins to a negative hitting percentage in game three. Belmont stormed back in game four to win 15-8 and force the deciding fifth game. Samford took a 4-1 lead in rally scoring to force a Belmont time out. After Belmont pulled to 4-2, the Bulldogs went on a 10-5 run to lead 14-7 before Belmont was able to side out on match point to bring the score to 14-8. But Ouldhouse put the exclamation point on the victory with her 20th kill to give the Bulldogs the match.

"I am very pround of the way we played tonight," said Samford head coach Vickie Nichols. "We needed that match very badly. It really helps to win the opening match in any tournament but especially one that you are hosting."

Samford freshman setter Krista Kettering had a career-high 32 assists in the match while sophomore setter Colleen Donivan added 30 assists.

The State Farm/Samford Classic will continue on Saturday at Seibert Hall as Louisiana, who defeated UT-Martin 3-1 on Friday, will play Belmont at 9 a.m. Samford will face UT-Martin at 11 a.m. In the afternoon session, Belmont will face UT-Martin at 2 p.m. and Samford will face Louisiana at 4 p.m.