SEPTEMBER 13, 2002

FURMAN VOLLEYBALL FALLS 3-0 TO AIR FORCE ACADEMY

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO: Furman's Lady Paladin volleyball team hit .301 for the match, but lost a 31-29, 30-28, 30-23 decision to Air Force Academy in the opening match of the Air Force Invitational.

The Lady Paladins were paced by Abby Simon (Simpsonville, S.C.), who had 16 kills and hit .467 in the three games. Sophomore Julia Fredrickson (Dallas, Texas) added 10 kills, while middle blocker Laura Bush (Kingsport, Tenn.) recorded three block solos and three block assists. Setter Michelle Cauldwell (Satellite Beach, Fla.) recorded 41 assists.

The Falcons had three players will double-digit kills for the match: Tiffany Bishop totaled 16, Delavane Diaz added 15 and Kristin Hamlett posted 11. Statistics for the match were as close as the game scores, with Air Force outhitting Furman .333 to .301, outdigging the Lady Paladins 31 to 26, and Furman outblocking the Falcons 9.0 to 5.0.

The Lady Paladins (4-5) will face Northern Arizona in a late match Friday night before meeting California-Irvine and Georgia State on Saturday.

Air Force Academy def. Furman 31-29, 30-28, 30-23