Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Volleyball Falls In Three Games To Tennessee State


--- Bulldogs fall in tough conference match ---

Oct. 6, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford volleyball team fell to Tennessee State tonight in three straight games. The Bulldogs came out strong, but they could not take the match from this tough Ohio Valley Conference competitor.

Samford (5-14, 0-5 OVC) played a close first game against the Tigers (11-9, 4-1 OVC). Each team traded the lead several times and never led by more than a point, until the Bulldogs took the lead at 18-14. The Tigers came back to tie it at 19, but the Bulldogs pulled away again with the four point lead. TSU came back to tie the game again, and took control. The Bulldogs fell in game one, 27-30.

Game two started out close but Tennessee State soon took control and never looked back. The Bulldogs managed to keep the TSU lead at five, but the Tigers won game two, 30-25.

In game three, the Bulldogs jumped out to the early four-point lead, the Tigers would not let Samford run away with it. Tennessee State took the lead after tying the game at seven and led by as much as four, but the Bulldogs would come back to tie it late, 26-26. However, TSU would not give up the game, winning the game and the match 30-28.

“Game one, we definitely let get away,” said Bulldog head coach Michelle Durban. “I thought it was good that out team stayed aggressive.”

Freshman outside hitter Alyssa Trimpe and sophomore middle blocker led the Bulldogs with 12 kills each. Trimpe also had nine digs. Freshman right side hitter Sheridan Stangohr led the team in hitting with a .231 percentage. Sophomore setter Courtney Gay had 31 assists and five points, while freshman defensive specialist Sarah Gardner had 18 digs.

“(Sarah) Gardner definitely picked up her defensive intensity tonight,” said Durban. “The main thing right now is that our players need to continue to get smarter, especially with the situation that we are in right now.”

Match play will continue for the Bulldogs this weekend tomorrow morning as they take on the Austin Peay Governors. The first serve is set for 11 a.m.

*** SAMFORD BULLDOGS ***

No comments: