Oct. 25, 2002
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 21-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks recorded their best conference start ever at 10-0 as they swept the Georgia Bulldogs in front of 557 Garnet and Black faithful tonight. Game scores were 30-27, 30-20, and 30-21. The Gamecocks now host the third-ranked Florida Gators Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Volleyball Competition Facility.
South Carolina (17-3, 10-0 Southeastern Conference) hit .294 while holding Georgia (14-10, 4-5 SEC) to a measly .066 on the night. Carolina was led by both old and young tonight as senior Sam Alban and freshman Sarah Morgan each recorded 10 kills. South Carolina is now 13-0 in the 2002 campaign when leading 2-0 at the break after game two.
“It was great to get that match done in three games,” said Carolina Head Coach Kim Christopher. “I was glad to see us make some adjustments in our offense in games two and three. Alexandra Oquendo and Julie Petruschke were players that we knew could hurt us. We wanted to slow them down tonight and I think we did a good job of that.”
Alban recorded five of her 10 kills and hit .444 to lead the Gamecocks against a pesky Georgia team in game one. Carolina found themselves in a nail biter, tied at 10 when the Gamecocks broke loose, going on an 8-3 run to lead by five. The Bulldogs would fight back, however, and bring the match within one point at 25-24. However, Carolina was not to be outdone, and fought through for the 30-27 win.
Carolina came out hitting in game two, taking a quick 12-1 lead before Georgia was able to record their second point of the game after a Niece Curry blocking error. The Gamecocks led by as much as 15-2 in game two. Seven of Georgia’s nine players hit in the negative, while Georgia as a team hit – .057.
The Gamecocks came out firing in game three as they did in game two, holding Georgia’s hitting to .000. South Carolina was led by a variety of leaders in game three with four separate players notching three kills. Carolina out blocked Georgia in game three, 5-2.
-USC-
