CONWAY, S.C. (September 15, 2006) - The Volley Bucs opened play at the Microtel Inn and Suites Classic Friday afternoon with an impressive three-game victory over North Florida, 30-27, 30-17, 30-22.  UNF was one of two teams picked in the preseason to take the regular season conference title.

"We stepped up our game in many areas tonight," said head coach Lindsey Devine. "Our bench executed at very key moments in this match and really helped us to this win over a conference opponent."

The Lady Bucs (8-4) trailed for much of game one, not taking their first lead until an attack error gave them an 18-17 advantage, and only taking the lead for good when juniors Callie Kisleich (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Michelle Mislan (Indianapolis, Ind.) combined to block Maegan Weisert's attack for a 28-27 lead.  Senior Jennifer Sartor (Toronto, Ontario) led the way for ETSU with five of her team-high 10 kills coming in the first frame.

ETSU controlled game two from the start, sprinting out to a 10-3 lead and cruising to the 13-point win, taking a commanding 2-0 match lead.  The Lady Bucs hit an impressive .314 for the game, accumulating 16 kills against just five errors.  Senior Crystal Palmer (Chico, Calif.) paced ETSU with five of her seven kills in the game.

Game three was more of the same, as the Lady Bucs again built an early lead and rolled to the easy victory.  Sartor hammered out four more kills in the final stanza, while Kiselich added three more of her own.

Senior Sarah Buhr (Stockton, Calif.) contributed eight kills of her own to the Lady Buc effort, and senior Nani Emerson (Tracy, Calif.) distributed a match-high 36 assists.

The Lady Bucs continue play on Saturday at noon against host Coastal Carolina before completing competition with a 4:30 p.m. tilt with Xavier.