Aug. 31, 2001

Stats

HOUSTON, Texas - Samford senior Whitney Miller recorded 28 kills in a five-game thriller as the Rice Owls escaped with a 3-2 victory over Samford Friday night at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational.

Miller is the only player in Samford history to record 30 kills in a match. She had three kills in game five to finish the match with 28 and added 11 digs for her first double-double of the season. Abby Miner and Shellie Ouldhouse also had double-doubles. Miner recorded 13 kills and 10 digs and Ouldhouse added 11 kills and 10 digs.

The Bulldogs had been swept earlier in the day by #18 Texas A&M came out with hopes of upsetting the home standing Owls. Samford took game in comeback fashion. After falling behind 24-17, the Bulldogs clawed back to tie the game at 28 and again at 30. Stefanie Pickett and Angela Smith conspired on a block and Miller closed out the 32-30 win with her eighth kill of the game.

Rice responded by taking game two 30-24. Game three was nip and tuck until both teams reached 30. Neither team led by more than three points at any time in the game. Samford had three game points before Rice battled back for two game points of their own. In the end, it was Miller putting away an overpass as Samford won 35-33.

The Owls regained momentum in game four winning 30-22. In the deciding game, Samford forced built a 5-2 lead. Rice fought back to even the game at seven. The game was knotted at 10 and 12 before Rice went on a 3-0 run to win the game 15-12 and the match 3-2.

Rice's Leigh Leman had 26 kills and 19 digs to pace the home team. Rebecca Pazo added 22 kills for the Owls.

Samford will finish the tournament on Saturday with a 9 a.m. match against Stephen F. Austin and a 3 p.m. match against the University of Houston.