Box Score Oct. 3, 2014

Final Stats

Birmingham, Ala. - The Samford University Bulldogs used a strong offensive performance to down the visiting Catamounts of Western Carolina University, 3-0, Friday evening inside the Pete Hanna Center. The Bulldogs hit ,342 as a team while holding the Catamounts to .162.

Senior Caitlin Piechota led the Catamounts with 11 kills and nine digs. Freshman Jo-Leigh Vervelde chipped in eight kills, a team-high 18 assists and six digs.

Junior libero Elyssa Mulheron had a team-high 10 digs while junior setter Cristina Nazario turned in seven assists, eight digs and two kills.

The Bulldogs are now 2-0 in Southern Conference play and 8-7 overall. The Catamounts fall to 7-10 overall and 0-3 in SoCon action.

Michaela Reesor led the Bulldogs attack with 14 kills and seven digs.

Both teams struggled with the serve. The Catamounts had one ace while committing eight service errors. The Bulldogs also had one ace and 12 service errors.

The first set was highly competitive with both teams taking leads throughout the period. With the Catamounts leading 21-20, the Bulldogs scored five of the next seven points to take the opening set, 25-23. Three of Samford's five points came from three solo blocks.

A run midway through the second set gave Samford an advantage it would never relinquish. With the score tied at eight, the Bulldogs went on a 7-1 jaunt and never looked back. The Bulldogs would eventually take the set 25-20.

The third set saw the Bulldogs slowly pull away from the Catamounts. Up 20-16 late in the set, Samford used a 5-1 run to close out the match, 25-17.

The Catamounts will now travel north to Chattanooga for another SoCon match Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.