Sept. 23, 2011

Full Weekly Release

SAMFORD OPENS CONFERENCE SLATE IN NORTH CAROLINA
The Samford Bulldogs open up SoCon conference play, facing two division opponents this weekend. They first square off against Appalachian State on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The following day, they play Western Carolina at 2 p.m.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Appalachian State (8-6) - SoCon - After starting the season at 5-5, the Mountaineers are on a three-game winning streak and have won four of their last five. They are led by outside hitter Anna Wagner, who has earned 188 kills (3.62/set) so far this season.

Western Carolina (5-10) - SoCon - The Catamounts started the season at 3-8 but saw improved performance at last weekend's USC Upstate Tournament, going 2-1, but later fell in a mid-week match against Gardner-Webb. Their offensive leaders are Caitlin Piechota and Carrie Minogue with 114 and 110 kills, respectively.

BULLDOGS REPRESENT IN NCAA RANKS
The NCAA released its national rankings this week for games through Sept. 18, and Samford is well represented in numerous categories. Out of 322 teams included in the rankings, the Bulldogs are 12th nationally in hitting percentage (.286), 32nd in kills-per-set (14.02) and 38th in aces-per-set (1.61). There are only 22 teams, including Samford, with one or fewer losses and the Bulldogs are one of only three one-loss teams to play 14 matches (continued on next page...) Individuals on the team are also making a name for themselves in the national rankings. Lauren Hutchinson and Katie Murphy are second (.471) and sixth (.441), respectively, in the nation in hitting percentage. Samford is the only team in the country to have two players in the top-20 in hitting percentage. Junior setter Casey Garvey is also ranked eighth nationally in assists-per-set with 11.85.

CONQUERING THE CONFERENCE
Samford's strong preseason is evident in the conference rankings heading into conference play. The Bulldogs lead the SoCon in hitting percentage (.286), kills (14.02/set) and blocks (2.09/set), rank second in opponent hitting percentage (.154) and third in assists (12.63/set). Hutchinson tops the individual leaderboards in hitting percentage (.471) with Murphy in third (.441). Garvey leads the conference in assists (11.85/set) while Neisler and Hutchinson are second (3.70/set) and third (3.67/set) in kills, respectively.

WEEKLY WRAP
The Bulldogs played a tough schedule of four games within 24 hours at the Bethune-Cookman Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla. Despite the tough slate, Samford won all four matches in three sets, bringing their total to nine three-set victories this season. On Friday, Sept. 16, Samford took two against Savannah State (25-11, 25-16, 25-19) and Stetson (25-18, 25-18, 25-18). The following day, they took down host team Bethune-Cookman (25-20, 25-17, 25-21) and Hampton (25-17, 25-20, 25-22). Hutchinson led the team in kills, earning 47 in 12 sets. Hutchinson was named to the all-tournament team, as was Garvey, who earned 133 of the team's 154 assists (12/set).

PLAYER HIGHLIGHT: Casey Garvey
The Louisville, Ky., native has started her junior season strongly, averaging 11.8 assists-per-set, which leads the SoCon. She has been at the center of the Bulldogs' offense, putting up 557 of the team's 619 assists, nearly 90 percent of the team's total. She is also first on the team's service rotation and leads the team with 16 service aces. She would need 625 more assists to crack the top ten in the Samford single-season assists category, and she is currently eighth in career assists at Samford with 1,515.

UP NEXT
Samford only plays one opponent next week, hitting the road against SoCon south division leader Furman on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.