Sept. 27, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford University volleyball team plays host to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in a key conference match-up on Wednesday a 7 p.m. in Seibert Hall.

The Bulldogs (3-11, 0-2) look to pick up their first conference win of the season as they attempt to hand JSU (5-7, 2-0) its first conference loss of the year.

Samford is 12-25 in the all-time series against the Gamecocks, and 0-4 since joining the Ohio Valley Conference. In Samford head coach Michelle Durban's first year, the Bulldogs were 0-2 against Jacksonville.

Samford has been led by several different players this season. The young team has proven to be talented, with several Bulldogs among the conference leaders in a number of statistical categories.

Sophomore Angela Dempski leads the team in attack percentage, with a .283, which is the fourth best in the OVC. Dempski, along with freshman Jen Powers, also leads the team in total blocks with 43. The Bulldogs are third in the OVC in total blocks with 112. Freshman Sara Sears, who leads Samford in total kills, is currently second in the OVC with 201 and sixth in kills per game with 3.72.

The Gamecocks have been led by Abby Breitt, a two-time OVC offensive player of the week, who leads JSU in attack percentage with .249 and total kills with 180. Breitt is also the team's leading blocker, with 20 total blocks on the season.

Admission to the match is free. Fans will have an opportunity to win a $20 gift certificate to Papa Johns.