Oct. 22, 2003

Box Score

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Tech recorded 15.5 blocks hold Samford to a .111 attack percentage as it took a 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference volleyball victory over the Bulldogs Wednesday night at the Eblen Center.

Samford (8-14, 2-7 OVC) was led by Hilary Gary who had 17 kills and a .231 attack percentage. Alyssa Whitehead recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 13 kills and 16 digs but committed 15 attack errors. Kristen Berryman had 11 kills while Krista Kettering had 39 assists and a team-high 22 digs.

Tennessee Tech (9-13, 4-5 OVC) was led by Laura Sidorowicz with 20 kills and 13 digs. Liz Engal had 12 kills and 20 digs before leaving the match with an injury in game four. Anne Morrow and Annette Kupka added 13 and 12 kills respectively. Kupka added to her conference leading block total with two solo blocks and eight block assists.

Tech took the opening game 30-28. The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early 7-2 lead and never trailed in the game. Samford battled back the entire game and finally tied it at 26-26. TTU answered the run with three-straight points to gain game point at 29-26, but again Samford wouldn't quit winning two-straight before TTU could finally get a side out for the victory.

In game two was a side out battle as the teams had six ties until 18-18 when Samford went on a 6-2 run to gain its largest lead at 24-20. Tech answered with three-straight points to pull within one point but the Bulldogs extended the lead to 28-24. A service ace by Kasey Buchtien on game point gave the Bulldogs the 30-27 victory.

In game three the Bulldogs kept the momentum building a 13-9 lead. The teams continued to side out until 18-15 when Tennessee Tech went on an 11-2 run to force Samford's second time out trailing26-20. The Golden Eagles went on to take the game 30-25 to lead two games to one.

Tech jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the fourth game. The Bulldogs switched setters trailing 13-8 bringing Allison Pickett in for her first action of the match. A pair of Bulldog serving errors helped Tech extend its lead to 18-11 forcing a Samford timeout. After the time out Tech went on a 6-1 run to take its largest lead at 24-12. Samford answered the run with four-straight points before a Tech kill moved the score to 25-16 and finished the match with a 30-20 victory.

Samford will return to action on Saturday as it travels to Austin Peay for a 2 p.m. match in Clarksville, Tenn.