Samford University
*Eastern Illinois
Volleyball Downs Eastern Illinois
10.17.03 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 17, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Hilary Gary recorded a season-high 25 kills and Alyssa Whitehead added 21 kills and 23 digs for her third 20/20 of the season as Samford defeated Eastern Illinois 3-1 to end a four-match conference losing streak Friday night at Seibert Hall.
Gary hit .465 on the night with 25 kills and eight errors on 43 attacks to lead the Bulldogs back after dropping the first game to improve to 8-13 and 2-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Eastern Illinois dropped to 6-16 and 3-4 in the OVC.
Erica Gerth led EIU in the first game posting 10 of her team-high 19 kills in the opening game to lead the Panthers to a 30-28 victory. Gerth finished with 11 digs. Shanna Ruxer posted 14 kills and Mary Welch added 13 kills for the Panthers who have now dropped four straight matches.
In the second game, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-7 lead. EIU tied the game at 14-14. The teams stayed tied at 17 before Samford went on a 6-0 run to take control of the game at 23-17. EIU pulled back to 26-22 but the Bulldogs took the last four points to win 30-22.
The third game turned the match. The Panthers had game point at 29-26 but Samford stormed back to win the final five points. A service ace by Shannon Smith and a block by Whitehead and Stefanie Pickett tied the game. An EIU hitting error gave Samford game point and a setting error put the Bulldogs ahead two games to one.
"Coming back in the third game clinched the match in our player's minds," said Samford head coach Kris Dorn. "Consistency is something we have been struggling with and I was proud of the way we kept the pressure on them."
Samford took the momentum into game four taking an early 8-1 lead. The Bulldogs led by as many as 11 points at 17-6. EIU would pull as close as 25-18 but the a Smith kill on match point gave Samford the 30-22 win.
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday as they host Southeast Missouri State at 4 p.m. in Seibert Hall.
