Dowd, Uzoh Pace Volleyball in Win at Western Carolina
10/28/2007 4:02:00 AM | Volleyball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. --- Georgia Southern junior Christy Dowd (Indianapolis, Ind.) posted a match-high 18 kills and freshman Michelle Uzoh (San Antonio, Texas) had nine kills and no errors to lead the Eagles to a 3-0 (30-26, 30-23, 30-24) victory at Western Carolina Sunday.
GSU improves its record to 9-17 overall and 6-8 in the Southern Conference. WCU falls to 8-21 and 3-11 in the league.
“Today is a great win for us, to come up and play a great Western Carolina team and get a win on the road,” said GSU head coach Nicole McCray. “We served and passed well, which I think was the difference in the match.”
The Eagles ran off five straight points to break a 7-7 tie in game one to take control. Uzoh began the run with two kills and Dowd picked up where she left off with two more kills.
Western Carolina cut the deficit to one on several occasions, but was never able to tie the score.
Georgia Southern came out firing on all cylinders to start game two, scoring the first five points and eventually leading 13-1. Seven of GSU’s points came thanks to WCU errors and another was scored on a service ace. GSU held the Catamounts to a .050 hitting percentage in the second frame, and Dowd and Uzoh combined for eight of the team’s 14 kills.
“We definitely served very well in the second game,” said McCray. “They could not return the ball which enabled us to block balls and control anything they sent over.”
Game three was a different story, featuring 11 ties and two lead changes. The Eagles took the lead at 10-9 and never trailed again. Georgia Southern outscored Western Carolina 8-2 to close out the match.
Dowd led the team in kills for the second time in as many matches. She had a .326 hitting percentage and added four aces.
“Christy had a great weekend. Even though we lost on Friday night, she stayed aggressive in the front row and back row, and served and passed well.”
Uzoh’s nine kills came on a .643 attack percentage. She and Dowd combined for four solo blocks.
“For our M1 to hit .643 and have nine kills in 14 attempts with no errors against a very, very good defensive team in Western, means that she’s learning and staying patient, and not getting frustrated in difficult situations.”
Western Carolina was led by Jelena Jakovjevic, who recorded 17 kills.
The Eagles return home for their final two home matches of the season, hosting the College of Charleston Friday night and The Citadel on Sunday afternoon.
