Carrollton, Ga. – September 25, 2005 – The West Georgia Braves had a block party in the HPE Building Sunday afternoon, using 17 blocks, including nine from freshman Amber Barnlund, to sneak past the Valdosta State Lady Blazers 3-2.
The Braves came out smoking on both offense and defense, hitting for over 40 percent in the first game while forcing 11 VSU errors. Stephanie Singleton was the driving hitting force in the game, collecting five kills and no errors in eight attempts in leading UWG to a 30-20 win.
In game two, the Braves’ errors caught up, as the Lady Blazers took full advantage in a 31-29 win.
The third game started out as a see-saw affair, with the Braves opening a 4-1 advantage in the early going. VSU came roaring back, taking the lead at 7-6, building a 9-6 cushion. West Georgia tied the game at 10, the blasted ahead, building a 28-21 lead before finishing off the game at 30-22.
Game four was the most disappointing for UWG head coach Regan Adams, as the Braves led 27-22 and looked to be ready to close out the match. But Valdosta scored eight straight points, winning 30-27 to send the contest to a fifth game.
The Braves asserted themselves in the final game, leaping out to a 9-2 lead and finishing off the match at 15-7.
Singleton was the Braves’ leader on the afternoon, collecting 22 kills at a 30 percent clip. Two other Braves, Carolin and Kathi Schoeneck, scored in double figures. Carolin had 16 kills while Kathi added 10.
The Braves travel to Lee University in Cleveland, TN for a non-conference match on Tuesday night before returning home to face Lincoln Memorial on Thursday at 6 p.m.