UCF Escapes With Four Game Victory at Samford :: Bulldogs fall short of conference upset

Oct. 12, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - When the schedule was made UCF probably didn't think its match with Samford would be for first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference. UCF is used to being at or near the top of the standings but they have never lost to Samford and the Bulldogs failed to make the tournament last year.

As it was, UCF began the night one game ahead of the up start Bulldogs in the standings. If the match had been played under international rules, Samford would have walked away with a three-game victory. However, the NCAA plays its games to 30 points rather than 25, and UCF showed why they are in first place winning the tight games and the match three games to one

Samford (7-10, 3-2) led in all four games of the match but UCF (12-2, 4-0) had the experience and ability to win the tight games with all three wins coming by the minimum two points, 33-31, 30-28, 21-30, 30-28.

Whitney Miller led four Bulldogs in double-figure kills with 19 and added 14 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Shellie Ouldhouse recorded her second double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs. Abby Miner had 12 kills and Angela Smith added 13 kills for Samford.

Leyre Santaella Sante had 23 kills for the Golden Knights while Tanya Jarvis and Cassy Kerner had double-doubles. Jarvis had 15 kills and 12 digs, Kerner 10 kills and 10 digs. Piper Morgan added 14 kills for UCF who won their eight-straight match.

Samford led 27-24 in game one and game two but UCF's side out game did not allow the Bulldogs to score on serve while the Golden Knights chipped away at the leads. Samford had game point of the first game 29-27 before UCF tied the game at 29 and then won 33-31 on a kill by Jarvis. In game two, UCF finished the game with a 6-1 run finished off by a kill from Morgan.

Samford controlled game three after falling behind 4-1. The Bulldogs 7-1 run gave them a 8-5 lead which they would not let go. Samford finished on a 10-4 run to win 30-21. Momentum appeared to be on Samford's side in game four as the Bulldogs raced out to 13-5 lead. UCF answered with a six point run to bring the game to 13-11. The Golden Knights finally tied the game at 18-18 and battled back and forth to 29-29. Finally and Samford hitting error and a block by Piper and Santaella Sante ended the match.

Samford will not have much time to dwell on what might have been. The Bulldogs face another tough conference foe in Florida Atlantic at 1 p.m. Saturday at Seibert Hall. UCF will travel to Jacksonville State on Saturday.