Sept. 27, 2002

Facing her old teammates, Abby Miner did not seem nervous as she led Florida Atlantic University to its first conference win of the season over Samford University, 30-26, 30-16, 30-25. Miner, a junior transfer from Samford, collected a match-high 17 kills and seven digs.

FAU (6-10, 1-0 A-Sun) got off to a Rocky start as the Bulldogs (6-7, 0-1 A-Sun) took a 14-6 advantage early in game one. Hilary Cary served six straight points for Samford behind three kills from outside hitter Alyssa Whitehead. Whitehead finished the match with a team-high 16 kills. FAU would regain the momentum and went on a 24-12 run to finish the game.

The Owls took the first point and never looked back as did not relinquish the lead in game two. The squad posted their highest hitting percentage of the season by only committing one hitting error. The Owls recorded 19 kills to post a .643 hitting percentage in the game. The offense was connecting as all FAU hitters posted above a .200 average.

FAU looked to dominate the final game with an 18-6 lead, but a quick Samford defense allowed the Bulldogs to tie the game at 21. The teams traded points and Samford would get as close as 25-26 before Iana Andonova served out the match. Andonova collected a career-high four service aces and her first multiple ace match.

Jeana Boyle tallied 33 assists while her counterpart, Krista Kettering, posted 31. FAU led Samford in every category except digs where the Bulldogs picked up 36 digs to FAU's 27.

FAU will continue conference play on Saturday as it hosts the second of its 10-match conference swing. The Owls will play Jacksonville University at 7 pm. The Gamecocks were defeated by the University of Central Florida in three-games on Friday night.