November 18, 2003

FURMAN FACES CHATTANOOGA IN SOCON TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- After ending the regular season with a 17-15 overall record and 12-6 mark in Southern Conference action, the Furman Lady Paladins (#3 seed, South) will face Chattanooga (#2, North) Friday at 5 p.m. in the first round of the Southern Conference Championships at Maclellan Gym in Chattanooga, Tenn. Furman and UTC have faced off once already this season, with the Lady Paladins taking a 3-1 win on Oct. 18.

Furman enters the 2003 Southern Conference Tournament with an 18-19 mark all time in league tourney play. The Lady Paladins won their only Southern Conference Tournament title in 1990, when Furman defeated Appalachian State 3-2 in the championship game. In addition to 1990, Furman advanced to the title match in 1987, 1993, 1994, and 2000, but lost to Chattanooga, Appalachian State, Appalachian State, and Davidson, respectively.

The 2003 Lady Paladins rely heavily on senior Amber Montague, an outside hitter from Plano, Texas, who is leading the Lady Paladins in kills and digs. In addition, junior middle blocker Julia Fredrickson from Dallas, Texas, ranks second on the team in kills and is ranked 10th in the league in hitting percentage, with a .274 mark. Sophomore Caitlin White, a 6-1 middle from Grand Rapids, Mich., is the team leader in blocks and also sports a strong offensive attack, while freshmen Whitney Purser (Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.) and Ally Hock (Oviedo, Fla.) have filled important positions on the outside. Furman's floor general is sophomore setter Molly Rybak, who has handled Furman's setting duties exclusively since senior setter Michelle Cauldwell went down with a broken hand in early October. Junior Rosey Cashman has seen extensive action as libero this year.

On Saturday at 7 p.m., the winner of Friday's Furman-Chattanooga match will face the winner of Friday's 3 p.m. match between College of Charleston, the number one seed from the south division and East Tennessee State, the north division's fourth seed.

Sunday's championship match is slated for Sunday at 2 p.m., and the winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.