Oct. 18, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Following two more 3-0 victories last weekend, the Samford volleyball team continues to climb up the NCAA rankings in numerous categories. Out of 322 ranked teams, the 19-3 Bulldogs are now fourth in the country in hitting percentage (.290). Out of the top 25 in that category, Samford has the third highest kill total (1,080), only trailing Western Kentucky (1,089) and Northern Illinois (1,164). They are tenth in kills per set (14.40), 25th in assists per set (13.03) and 41st in aces per set (1.52).

Lauren Hutchinson, the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week, regained the top spot in the nation in hitting percentage, now boasting a season clip of .448. This is the second time this season Hutchinson has been at the top of the leader boards, finishing the month of September at No. 1, earning SoCon Offensive Player of the Month honors. Katie Murphy, who was ranked third last week, has now moved into the No. 2 spot at .440. This is her highest ranking so far this season. Casey Garvey also improved to her best ranking so far this season in assists per set, vaulting from fifth to third, now totaling 12.05. She is one of only four setters in the nation to average more than 12 assists per set. Elizabeth Neisler also moved up in the NCAA ranks, now ranking 34th in points per set (4.67) and 40th in kills per set (4.1).

The Bulldogs play a pair of matches this weekend, facing off against Davidson on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. and Georgia Southern on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. The Friday match against Davidson will put the top three hitters in the nation on the same floor, as Davidson's Tindall Sewell ranks third in hitting percentage (.431), just behind Hutchinson and Murphy.