Sept. 9, 2000

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Louisiana at Lafayette defeated Samford University 15-8, 15-13, and 15-6 to finish 3-0 and in first place in the 2000 State Farm/Samford Classic held at Seibert Hall this weekend.

Louisiana's Clarice Laires was named the tournament's most valuable player as she recorded 47 digs and a .299 hitting percentage in the three games. Also making the all tournament team was Samford's Shellie Ouldhouse, Louisiana's Amy Kealjev, Belmont's Kristen Moore, Tennessee-Martin's Leigh Reiniche, and Lindsey Stock.

Louisiana came out strong in the final match against Samford. The Ragin'Cajuns took game one 15-8, before Samford battled back in game two. Samford held a brief lead in game two before ULL came back and eventually won 15-13. The game two loss took the air out of Seibert Hall and the Ragin' Cajuns took game three 15-6.

Ouldhouse led the Bulldogs in kills with 10, she finished as the tournament second leading killer with 46.

Tennessee-Martin finished second in the tournament by defeating Samford and Belmont on Saturday. The Skyhawks were the tournament's best hitting team compiling a .201 attack percentage over their three matches.

Samford finished in third place by its win over Belmont Friday night. The Bulldogs faced long odds as they entered the tournament with only eight players healthy to play. The lack of depth showed as the tournament went on.

Belmont's bright spot came in the play of Moore who had 39 kills before being injured in the Bruins second match.