Friday, September 09, 2005

DAVIDSON, N.C. (Sept. 9, 2005) - Sarah Buhr (Stockton, Calif.) recorded a double-double with 15 kills and 10 digs to lead East Tennessee State to a 3-1 (24-30, 30-24, 25-30, 22-30) victory over Davidson in the opening round of the 2005 Mizuno Wildcat Classic Friday evening.  The victory was the third-straight for the Lady Bucs.
          

The two teams traded points early in the opening game to find themselves deadlocked at 13-13. ETSU broke the tie with a 5-0 streak and never looked back taking the match's first game 30-24. 
           

Crystal Palmer (Chico, Calif.) led the way for the Lady Bucs in game one with four kills on eight swings, while Jennifer Emerson (Santa Clara, Calif.) contributed 11 assists.
           

Tied 21-21 in game two, Davidson (0-5) took advantage of three consecutive ETSU miscues to spark a 7-0 streak and grab its largest lead of the frame 28-21 lead. The Bucs cut the margin to 29-24, but Davidson's Liz Williamson gave the Wildcats the game (30-24) and tied the match 1-1. 
           

In game three, the Buccaneers recorded a .410 attack percentage (19-39) to claim the game 30-25 and grab a 2-1 match advantage. 
           

Similar to the second stanza, the two teams played to an early 14-14 tie, but ETSU broke the tie with a 7-2 run to grab a 21-16 lead. A Lady Bucs' attack error and service ace by the ‘Cats' Emily Mims closed the deficit to 21-19, but Davidson was unable to inch closer than two as ETSU claimed the final game 30-22.
           

Junior Jennifer Sartor (Toronto, Ontario) finished with a match-high 17 kills, while Callie Kiselich (Colorado Spring, Colo.) added a double-digit kill performance with 10. Emerson led all setters with 54 assists.  Kiselich topped the Lady Bucs in hitting percentage, swinging a match-high .364.  Buhr followed at .361
           

"It was a solid performance tonight," said head coach Lindsey Devine.  "Sarah (Buhr) was very consistent.  She had the ball control that we needed tonight."
           

Katie Pierucci led the way for Davidson with 14 kills on 29 attempts and 17 assists. Erin Balak finished with a team-high 20 assists in the Wildcats fifth straight defeat to begin the 2005 campaign.
           

At 4-1, ETSU is executing the best start since the 2001 season.  The Lady Bucs continue play at the Wildcat Classic on Saturday with matches against Duquesne and Howard, slated for 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.