Oct. 13, 2000

Box Score

Hattiesburg, Miss. - Sophomore Colleen Hunter pounded down 31 kills as the Billikens extended their winning-streak to three matches with a 3-1 decision over Southern Miss in Conference USA action on Friday night. Game scores were 9-15, 15-13, 15-11, 15-12. The Billikens improve to 9-10 overall, 3-5 in Conference USA. The Golden Eagles fall to 8-12, 2-6.

Southern Miss hit a sparkling .442 in game one to take the early lead. The Billikens notched one more kill than USM in game two and edged the Golden Eagles to tie the match. SLU pushed the margin to 2-1 by holding the hosts to just an .056 hitting percentage in the third game. In what would prove to be the final game, the Billikens posted their highest hitting percentage of the match at .255 and held the Golden Eagles off to clinch the victory. The Golden Eagles outhit the Billikens overall, .213 to .187, marking only the second time this season Saint Louis has won a match with a lower hitting percentage than its opponent.

With 31 kills, Hunter did what no other player during coach Marilyn Nolen's tenure has done, which is to post back-to-back 30-kill matches. Hunter set a school-record with 38 kills in SLU's last match on Tuesday against Eastern Illinois. Hunter launched 31 kills on 61 attempts with just five errors for a .426 hitting percentage. She completed her third double-double in four matches with 13 digs and added six blocks. Ember Knobeloch turned in her second-straight strong offensive match with 11 kills. Brooke Minniear led four Billikens in double-digit digs with 18 while Jessica Moss posted 17 digs. Setters Shannan Swiney and Beth Middendorf combined for 51 assists on the evening.

The Billikens are next in action tomorrow as they travel to New Orleans to face Tulane at 7 p.m.