Oct. 6, 2000

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Stetson's Mike Ford recorded 16 kills to lead four Hatters in double figures as Stetson defeated Samford 3-2 in Trans America Athletic Conference volleyball action on Friday.

Ford finished with a .342 hitting percentage (16 kills, 3 errors, 38 attacks), Amy Cureless had 15 kills, Michelle Clonan 14 kills, and Kaley Rawlins added 11 kills to move Stetson to 2-11 on the season and 1-1 in the TAAC.

Samford (8-11, 0-1 TAAC) was led by Whitney Miller who had a game-high 23 kills. Angela Smith recorded a career-high 15 kills and Stefanie Pickett finished with a season-best .417 hitting percentage (10 kills, 0 errors, 24 attacks).

Stetson started the match strong by winning game one 15-5, Samford answered by taking game two by the same score. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game three on four service aces, three by Miller and one by Ashley Fulton. Samford would lead 10-5 in the middle game before Stetson would go on a six point run to lead 11-10. The Hatters would go on to win 15-13 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Samford bounced back and dominated game four using a 9-0 run to lead 9-2 and went on to win 15-7. The Bulldogs hit .471 (19 kills, three errors, 51 attacks) in game four.

Game five was a battle throughout as neither team could build more than a three point advantage. With the game tied at 10-10, Ford recorded the kill that put Stetson up for good. A block by Ford and Clonan gave the Hatters a two point lead. After and exchange of sideouts made the score 13-12, Stetson got back-to-back kills by Clonan and Meghan Wright to take the deciding game 15-12.

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday. Samford will host Jacksonville at 2 p.m. while Stetson will travel to Jacksonville State.