September 6, 2002

FURMAN SWEEPS GARDNER-WEBB, OHIO DEFEATS UNC WILMINGTON IN
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DOWNTOWN INVITATIONAL

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Amber Montague (Plano, Texas) tallied 15 kills and Michelle Cauldwell (Satellite Beach, Fla.) had 24 assists to lead Furman to a 30-18, 30-19, 30-19 victory over Gardner-Webb on the opening night of the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Invitational.

Freshman Molly Rybak (Bloomington, Minn.) added 15 assists and Julia Fredrickson (Dallas, Texas) contributed eight kills in the Lady Paladins' home opener at Timmons arena. Carrie Rowley, a senior from Lighthouse Point, Fla., became the 10th woman in Furman history to record her 1,000th career kills with the first of seven successful attacks on the night.

Talia Ogle paced the Gardner-Webb attack with 10 kills, while Carrie Brinkley tallied 11 assists.

The Bobcats of Ohio defeated the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington 30-24, 30-19, 30-17in the night's opneing match.

The Bobcats were paced by Laura Hageman's nine kills and .615 attack percentage, while Julia Winkfield and Katie Smith each added seven. Lindsay Judice recorded a team-high 10 digs and Hageman totaled four blocks to pace the Ohio defense.

Paige Marvin topped the Seahawk effort with nine kills, while Jodi Bartman totaled a team-high 10 digs and Jennifer Mais tallied three total blocks.

Ohio and UNCW will each play two matches on Saturday. The Seahawks will face Furman at 11 a.m. before meeting Gardner-Webb at 4 p.m. Ohio will play the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb at 1 p.m. , before closing out the Invitational with a 6 p.m. contest against host Furman.

Ohio def. UNCW 3-0

Furman def. Gardner-Webb 3-0