Oct. 19, 2001

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University snapped a three-match losing streak by sweeping Mercer University 30-26, 30-28, 30-24 in Atlantic Sun volleyball action at Seibert Hall Friday night.

Samford (8-12, 4-3 A-Sun) defeated Mercer for the seventh-straight time dating back to the 1996 season. Whitney Miller led the Bulldog attack with 18 kills. Abby Miner added a double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs. Krista Kettering dished out 43 assists and had 10 digs.

Mercer (15-12, 1-6 A-Sun) was led by Jennifer Smith and Katie Plummer who each recorded double-doubles for the Bears. Smith had 16 kills and 15 digs while Plummer had 15 kills and 14 digs.

Samford played 11 players in the match and 10 of them had at least one kill and nine players had at least one dig."This was a good match for us," said Samford head coach Vickie Nichols. "We had an opportunity to experiment with our line up and get some non-starters some valuable experience."

The serving of Stefanie Pickett proved to be the difference in the match. The Sophomore from Birmingham had five aces and accounted for two long runs from the service line. With Mercer leading game one 8-5, Pickett recorded three aces and served nine-straight points as Samford took a 14-8 lead. In game three with the game tied at 17, Pickett served seven-straight pints to give the Bulldogs a 24-17 lead.

Samford out-hit Mercer .234-.130 and out-blocked the Bears 10-3. Mercer held a slim 59-57 edge in digs for the match.

Mercer was strong in game one behind the hitting of Smith and Plummer. After Pickett's serving spotted the Bulldogs the lead, the Bears fought back to tie the opener at 25. Samford finished the game with a 5-1 run aided by three kills from Miller.

Game two was very similar to the first game. Mercer took an early lead, Samford went ahead, and Mercer tied the game at 25. This time the game remained tied at 27. Samford got a kill from Miller and a pair of kills from Miner to win three of the last four points and take a two games to none lead.

Game three was a side out affair until Pickett's run with the game tied at 17 gave Samford a 24- 17 lead. The Bulldogs continued to use a strong side out game to finish off the Bears 30-24.

Both team will return to action on Saturday. Samford will host conference newcomer Belmont in a 3 p.m. match at Seibert Hall. Mercer will travel to Jacksonville State.