Sept. 14, 2007
Box Score
MURRAY, Ky. ---- With an incredible defensive force, the volleyball team notched its first Ohio Valley Conference win Friday night over Murray State at Racer Arena. The Bulldogs (6-4, 1-0 OVC) defeated the Racers (3-7, 0-1 OVC) in four games (30-25, 30-28, 23-30, 30-27) while out-blocking their opponent 16-9.
Senior middle blocker Angela Dempski led the Bulldogs in three categories and set three new career highs for herself. She posted career highs with 19 kills, eight block assists, and 42 attempts while leading Samford in hitting with a .357 average.
Junior outside hitter Sara Sears grabbed 15 kills and nine digs, while scored a match-high three aces and getting a career-high five block assists. Freshman outside hitter Samantha Bland had 12 kills, 11digs, one ace and a career-high four block assists. Sophomore middle blocker Sheriden Stangohr had the team's second highest hitting percentage with .233 while grabbing 11 kills and a career-high seven block assists.
Freshman Hillary Fountain dished out 54 assists for the Bulldogs while grabbing 12 digs and a career-high six block assists. Junior Libero Courtney Gay had 27 digs, while sophomore defensive specialist Sarah Gardner grabbed 15 and served up a career-high three aces. Sophomore outside hitter Katie Luckman had one kill and one dig, and junior middle blocker Kirstein Sosnowski had one kills and three digs.
Samford continues play in its conference opening weekend as they take on the Skyhawks of UT Martin Saturday afternoon. Match play begins at 2 p.m.
Samford 3, Murray State 1
Samford fell behind early in game one of its match against Murray State as the Racers scored the first two points. The Bulldogs quickly answered back on a kill by Dempski and soon caught up to tie the game at four on back-to-back kills by Sears and Dempski. The Racers took over again pushing the lead out to four, but Samford closed back in and tied the game again at 15. From that point, the Bulldogs had the advantage and took the lead by as much as six, eventually taking game one, 30-25.
Gardner jumped started the Bulldog lead in game two with back-to-back service aces. Murray State quickly answered back in tied it up. The Racers tied the game several times, but the Bulldogs would not give up the lead. The game was close as Murray State never let Samford get as far ahead as three points, but it would be enough for the Bulldogs as they go on to win, 30-28.
In game three, Samford came out and scored the first point on a block by Bland and Dempski. However, Murray State lept in front, scoring four straight points to take a three-point lead. This only fueled the Bulldogs to go on their own 4-1 run to take jump on top. The Racers tied the game at five, with a kill by Dempski the Bulldogs took the lead, but on a Racer block Murray State tied it again and then took the lead. The score would be tied again at seven and once again at 11. The Racers would take over from there and go on to win, 30-23.
The Bulldogs came out with both barrels blazing in game four, scoring three straight points on a block by Sears and Stangohr and then kills by both as well. Samford led the whole game but not by a large margin. Ten tied points proved that Murray State was not giving up without a fight, but the Bulldogs would come out victorious by three points, winning 30-27.
