Sept. 23, 2000

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Bulldogs were nearly perfect in game five and took a hard fought match 3-2 over Western Carolina Saturday morning in the State Farm/Samford Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

The Bulldogs (8-6) recorded kills on all five attacks in the decisive fifth game and took advantage eight Western Carolina (2-9) hitting errors to win the final game 15-2.

Whitney Miller led four Bulldogs in double-figure kills with 20. She also recorded 14 digs. Shaliece Hall had 15 kills and 17 digs to go along with six service aces. Three of her aces came in the third game to bring the Bulldogs back from a 4-0 deficit. Angela Smith recorded 12 kills and Ashley Fulton had 11 kills and 14 digs.

Western Carolina won game one 15-9, but Samford stormed back in game two to win 15-8 behind Miller's attack. WCU led game three 4-0 before Samford came back and eventually won 15-13. The final point of game three was one to be remembered, both teams played outstanding defense and the rally was the longest of the match. Thomas finally ended it on a tip over the WCU block which found the floor despite a pancake dig by WCU's Cindy Camp.

The Catamounts won game four 15-7 as Christy Attebery recorded eight of her match-high 29 kills in game four. Sara Komosinski had five of her 15 kills in game four as well.

The defense was the story of the match as Samford had 79 digs and Western Carolina finished with 76 digs. In the end, however, it was Samford's serving that was the difference. Samford had 14 aces in the match and completely broke down WCU's serve receive in game five.

The win by Samford sets up a championship game against Troy State at 4 p.m. Both teams are 2-0 in the tournament and the winner will take home the first place prize.