Furman Wins Five-Game Match Over Davidson On the Road

Nov. 2, 2001

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- In a match that would go a long way in determining seeding for the Southern Conference Volleyball Tournament, Davidson (11-15, 8-8) could not finish off visiting Furman (14-10, 10-8) in a grueling five-set match on Friday evening. The Paladins took the match, 24-30, 30-24, 30-21, 23-30, 15-12 to subdue the Wildcats.

"This was a tough match to lose," said Davidson Head Coach Tami Darwin. "But I was very proud of the way we played, coming back from a 2-1 deficit after three games. We are starting to come into our own as a team, and this is certainly encouraging for the conference tournament just down the road."

The Wildcats held a 12-11 lead in the fifth and deciding game, but Furman rattled off four straight points to emerge victorious in Davidson's Belk Arena. A service error tied the score at 12, and Laura Bush contributed a pair of kills in the final three points.

In the fourth game, Davidson showed resiliency by playing its best game of the night, tying the match at two. The 1Cats opened a 13-6 lead early, only to have the Paladins close to within two at 19-17. Consecutive kills by junior Roberta Quis, and freshmen Meredith Lorenz and Julia Hueckel put Davidson back in the saddle as the Wildcats hit a whopping .486 in the game.

At the start of the match, Davidson looked as if it would avenge a three-game loss earlier in the year to these same Paladins by winning the first game. Furman, however, took the second and third games with a strong offense, particularly in game three as the Paladins amassed 24 kills.

The trio of Bush, Abby Simon and setter Laura Hooks provided most of the offense for Furman. Bush had a match-high 24 kills, with Simon amassing 20 and Hooks 13 with just one error. Hooks also had 57 assists and 16 digs for a triple-double on the night. Simon led all players with 21 digs.

Furman will host the Mocs of Chattanooga Sunday in the final home match of the season.