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10/24/2008 - VOLLEYBALL
Dolphins, Bruins Clash in Match of the Week
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MACON, Ga. - Belmont and Jacksonville will face off Saturday afternoon inside Belmont's Curb Event Center in the Atlantic Sun Match of the Week. This will mark the second meeting this season between the two schools; Jacksonville dropped Belmont in four sets in Jacksonville back on September 26.
Both squads have eight conference wins entering the weekend’s action, and each can clinch a spot in next month’s Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament with one win or a Stetson loss this weekend. The Dolphins come into the weekend winners of five of their last six; the only loss coming against league-leading FGCU. The Bruins return to their home arena for the first time since September 17. Their only two home matches in the month of October moved to Lipscomb’s Allen Arena due to the presidential debate held on Belmont’s campus.
Jacksonville is off to its best start since 1997 with 13 wins in its first 19 matches. The Dolphins lone senior, outside hitter Sara Bendorf, leads the way for the Dolphins, averaging a conference-best 3.93 kills per set. Sophomore Abby Gruenbacher is efficient on the attack for JU, boasting a .338 hitting percentage that ranks second in the A-Sun. Junior libero Shelley Walroth ranks third in the nation (and first in the conference) in digs per set (6.07), and has tallied 20-plus digs in 11 matches this season.
Senior Emily Cahill leads the Bruins into the weekend. The middle hitter sports a league-best .340 hitting percentage. Fellow senior and preseason all-conference selection Cat Mundy ranks sixth in the A-Sun averaging 3.42 kills per set. Freshman Channing Salava ably directs the Bruin attack, dishing out a conference-third-best 9.46 assists per set.
The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.
