Oct. 26, 2001

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford volleyball team moved its winning-streak to four straight matches with a 3-1 victory over UNC Asheville at Seibert Hall Friday night.

The home-standing Bulldogs improved to 11-12 on the season by placing four attackers in double-figures, while three players recorded double-doubles. Whitney Miller led the way for Samford with 18 kills and 13 digs, Abby Miner had 17 kills and a season-high 21 digs, and Shellie Ouldhouse had 10 kills and 12 digs. Angela Smith chipped in 12 kills for Samford.

UNCA (6-15) was led by Kelly Budnik's 18 kills and 14 digs. Adrienne Moore had 16 kills and Heather Terrell had 14 kills and 10 digs for the visiting Bulldogs.

Samford was less than sharp in the opening game of the match. UNCA hit a match-high .311 in the opening game and won the final four points to take the game 30-26.

Samford responded by taking the next three games 30-28, 30-24, and 30-27. All three games were closely contested as neither team could mount a sustained rally as the two teams swapped three to four points runs throughout. Samford took control of the match near the end of game three. With the score 21-20, Samford went on a 7-3 run to move the score to 28-23. The Bulldogs would win the game 30-24, lead two games to one, and would not trail again.

UNCA kept game four close, as the final game saw eight ties before Samford went on a 9-4 run with the game tied at 20 to give itself five match points at 29-24. UNCA would not quit as Leslie Whitfield went back and served three-straight points before Ouldhouse ended the match by killing an over pass for the 30-27 win.

Samford out-hit (.256-.210), out-dug (87-70), and out-blocked (10-4) UNCA. UNC Asheville had nine aces in the match but committed 12 service errors.

Both teams will return to the court on Saturday. Samford will wake up early for an 11 a.m. homecoming showdown against Winthrop University. UNC Asheville will face Big South rival Birmingham-Southern on Saturday.