September 5, 2003

FURMAN, EAST CAROLINA RECORD WINS IN HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DOWNTOWN INVITATIONAL

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman’s Lady Paladin volleyball team recorded its first win of the season Friday night with a 3-0 victory over Gardner-Webb in the nightcap of the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Invitational. Earlier in the night, East Carolina downed Birmingham Southern 31-29, 30-28, 30-25 to open the annual tournament.

Furman junior Julia Fredrickson (Dallas, Texas) tallied a team-high 12 kills to lead the Lady Paladins on the night, while Caitlin White totaled nine and Amber Montague added seven. In addition to pacing the Lady Paladins in kills, Fredrickson led the team in hitting percentage with a .478 mark and totaled a team-best four blocks.

The Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb were paced by Maggie Cornwall’s 15 kills and eight digs. In addition, setter Carrie Brinkley totaled 23 assists and Sara Alford served up three aces.

In the first match, Birmingham Southern was led by Cassie Reed and Danielle Graf, who each totaled 10 kills, while the Pirates of ECU were paced by Jaime Bevan’s 12 kills and Johanna Bertini’s 15 digs.

Action continues in the Invitational on Saturday, with an 11 a.m. match between Gardner-Webb and East Carolina, followed at 1 p.m. by a Birmingham Southern-Furman contest. The tournament concludes Saturday night with a 4 p.m. match between Gardner-Webb and BSC, followed by the finale between Furman and East Carolina.

2003 Holiday Inn Express Downtown Invitational
East Carolina def. Birmingham Southern 31-29, 30-28, 30-25
Furman def. Gardner-Webb 30-26, 30-22, 30-23