Aug. 31, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University volleyball team will open the season with travel to Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, Sept. 1, to compete against Belmont University. Match time is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. CST. First-year head coach Michelle Durban is looking forward to seeing what her Bulldogs can do. "We are looking to our younger players to gain lots of experience this season," said Durban. "The team has been working through some injures since season practices started, but this week's matches will show who on the team is up for the challenge, who works well together and who will lead us into conference play." For the 2004 season, the Bulldogs will return seniors Hilary Gary, Brooke and Kristen Berryman and Eileen Hatfield, junior Courtney Keen and sophomores Calloway Logan, Abby Sites, Allison Pickett, Shannon Smith and Kasey Buchtien. Adding to the roster, the Bulldogs will look to the newcomers and freshmen Jen Yoder, Angela Dempski and Robin Bishop to step up to the OVC challenge for the 2004 season. Last season, Samford's 2003 OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll honorees were Brooke Berryman, Pickett, Keen, Hatfield, Sites and Gary. All-time letterwinner Gary holds three spots on Samford's all-time lists, while also placing on the top ten all-time career record lists in kills, attempts and block assist. The Bulldogs play their first 13 matches on the road before coming home to face Tennessee State on Sept. 25, at Seibert Hall.