August 31, 2001
The 18th-ranked Texas A&M volleyball team opened its season with a convincing 30-15, 30-19, 30-18 victory over the Samford Bulldogs Friday at Autry Court and the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational.
With the new rally scoring format in effect in which a point is scored after every serve and the first four games are played to 30, the Aggies posted 51 kills and hit .291 in the match while holding Samford to only 18 kills and a -.053 hitting percentage. A&M also posted 45 digs and nine blocks to the Bulldogs' 28 digs and five blocks.
Samford held a 3-1 lead in the opening game, but A&M tied the game on a kill and an ace by Michelle Cole. A&M took the lead on another Cole ace and never trailed for the remainder of the game.
The Aggies scored the first seven points in the second game and continued to increase the lead en route to the 30-19 victory.
A&M's four freshmen ?" Lexy Beers, Kendra Felder, Carrie Moreira and Melissa Munsch ?" who were ranked as the 10th-best recruiting class in the nation by Volleyball Magazine, all saw action in Game 3 as the Aggies closed in on the opening-day victory.
Erin Lechler led the Aggies with 13 kills, and Cole was the leader in digs with 12 as all 15 A&M players saw action. Jenna Moscovic and Beth Skypala led in blocking with three apiece.
Whitney Miller led the Bulldogs with six kills as no Samford players reached double figures in any category.
The Aggies continue the tournament this afternoon against former Southwest Conference opponent Houston at 5 p.m.