Oct. 5, 2003
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Lauren Ford and Shonda Cole notched nine kills apiece for Carolina as the Gamecocks defeated Mississippi State 3-0 Sunday. Game scores were 30-24, 30-17 and 30-27. The Gamecocks (9-7, 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference) hit .276 while holding the Bulldogs (1-13, 0-4 SEC) to .154.
“We played really relaxed today,” said Carolina Head Coach Kim Hudson Christopher. “It was great being at home. Offensively, we got into rhythm and were able to concentrate on serving and passing. I am glad to see our service aces outnumber our service errors. We played with more confidence today – it was a good match.”
Carolina served up 10 aces while committing seven service errors while the Bulldogs served up two aces and 11 errors. Libero Sarah Morgan led the defensive effort for the Gamecocks with 12 digs.
Carolina got off to a good start in game one, out hitting Mississippi State .324 to .111. Cole led Carolina with four kills while four other Gamecocks added three kills. Morgan paced USC with five digs while Lynae Vanden Hull made four digs in the game. There were 13 ties and seven lead changes in the game that witnessed a 30-24 Carolina win.
The Garnet and Black came out firing in game two, leading as much as 17-6, and cruising to a 30-17 win. Carolina hit .292 while holding Mississippi State to a .000 hitting percentage. Ford made five kills while Morgan added another five digs for Carolina. USC served up five aces in the game while the Bulldogs served up five errors.
Game three witnessed a much tougher Bulldog team as Carolina was out hit .324 to .225. Carolina lead early on 15-9, but Mississippi State fought back to tie the match at 19. The Bulldogs kept Carolina in a close game the rest of the way through, but USC came out on top 30-27 to seal the 3-0 match victory.
South Carolina takes on SEC Eastern Divisional foe Kentucky Wednesday night in Columbia at 7 p.m. The Gamecocks then travel to Tennessee Friday night as they start the Eastern Divisional swing of their schedule.
