Aug. 29, 2007
Box Score
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The Samford volleyball team bounced back from its weekend losses in a big way with a 3-1 win Wednesday night over the Mocs of the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. This is the first victory of the season for the Bulldogs, who are now 1-2.
After dropping the first game to the Mocs, 21-30, Samford came back to win three straight games (30-24, 30-26, 30-24) to take the whole match. The Bulldogs outblocked the Mocs, 14-5, and posted 13 more kills and 16 more assists than their opponents.
"We played very well in the match," Samford head coach Michelle Durban. "We served aggressively tonight and I think that helped us get Chattanooga out of their rhythm."
Sophomore middle blocker Sheridan Stangohr led the Bulldogs in hitting with a .417 average and grabbed 12 kills and seven blocks, while senior middle blocker Angela Dempski had the second highest average of .378 and posted six block assists and 16 kills.
Junior Libero Courtney Gay set a new personal career high and a new Samford individual record with 42 defensive digs. After having only three digs in the first game, Gay came back to post 39 in the last three games.
Freshman setter Hillary Fountain set a new career high against the Mocs with 60 assists. Fountain also posted two kills and nine digs.
Junior outside hitter Sara Sears posted 16 kills, 12 digs, and five service aces. Freshman outside hitter Samantha Bland grabbed 17 digs and eight kills, while sophomore defensive specialist Sarah Gardner posted 13 digs. Junior middle blocker Kirstein Sosnowski had five kills and two block assists and sophomore outside hitter Katie Luckman had six kills and two block assists.
"Our middles dominated the match, both offensively and defensively," said Durban. "Katie Luckman came off the bench and gave us a good spark."
Samford will be back in action when they kick off home play this weekend as they host the Samford Classic for the last time in Seibert Gym. The Bulldogs will take on Troy University Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in the second match of the tournament. They will also take on McNeese State Saturday night at 7 p.m. and will wrap up play in the Samford Classic on Sunday afternoon as they face off with Coastal Carolina at 2 p.m.
