Sept. 26, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Bulldogs have increased their stock in the NCAA rankings this week, improving in nearly every category despite splitting two conference matches this past weekend. As a team, Samford is now 10th nationally in hitting percentage (.278), 25th in kills-per-set (14.09), 44th in aces-per-set (1.55) and 51st in assists-per-set (12.73).

Lauren Hutchinson, who was ranked second in the nation in hitting percentage last week, has now jumped to the top of the NCAA D1 leader boards with a .450 season clip. This past weekend, Hutchinson hit .319 with 22 kills in 47 attempts through seven sets. Teammate Katie Murphy, ranked sixth in the category last week, jumped all the way to third with a season percentage of .425. Murphy hit .312 this past weekend, with 12 kills on 32 attempts and only two errors. Casey Garvey also increased her ranking, moving from eighth to sixth in assists-per-set with 11.81 after earning 81 of the team's 94 assists last weekend.

The Bulldogs resume conference play this weekend, hitting the road against Furman on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.