Aug. 30, 2003
Los Angeles, Calif. – In their first five-game match of the season, a final kill by sophomore Lauren Ford sealed the deal for South Carolina volleyball as the Gamecocks defeated Ball State 3-2 in the Holiday Inn Tournament. Carolina recorded their first win of the season as they won 30-25, 22-30, 30-14, 25-30, 15-9. Sarah Morgan led the Gamecocks with 17 kills and 17 digs followed by Nicole Miller with 15 kills and 13 digs. Ford rounded out the double digits with 14 kills and a team leading seven blocks.
“This was a great tournament for us. Ball State is a great team and for us to get a win against them shows how we have grown just over this weekend alone,” said head coach Kim Hudson Christopher.
Carolina ended its game losing streak when they took game one 30-25 over the Cardinals. The Garnet and Black jumped out to an early lead and held on despite several runs from Ball State. The Gamecocks recorded 17 kills and hit .214. Ford posted five kills for a hitting percentage of .833. Ford also recorded two block assists and a block solo in the game.
After suffering a 30-22 loss in game two and with the match tied 1-1, Carolina went on their best run of the tournament, 7-0, before Ball State called a timeout. The Gamecocks scored two more points before Ball State served and recorded their first point. By the score of 30-14, the Gamecocks’ won game three by its largest margin of the tournament, 16 points. Carolina also recorded its best hitting percentage of the tournament, .440 and held Ball State to -.074, the lowest for a Carolina opponent so far this season. Carolina recorded seven service aces in game three to propel a 9-0 run. Vanden Hull and Ford each had three, a career high for both.
The Cardinals forced a game five when they took game four 30-25 over the Gamecocks. Carolina managed only a .087 hitting percentage and had 15 kills and 11 errors, while Ball State recorded 15 kills, eight errors and a .149 percentage.
In game five, with the score tied 8-8, Carolina went on a 7-1 run to post a 15-9 rally win and claim its first match win of the season. In game five, errors provided both teams several points but Miller had three kills and Ford had two to lead Carolina to victory.
The Gamecocks returns to action Fri., Sept. 5 when they host No. 25 Michigan State in Carolina’s home opener. The Gamecocks will host the Carolina Classic Sept. 5-7.
