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HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Sam Houston State volleyball won its first straight-set match since Sept. 29 when the Bearkats defeated Central Arkansas 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-23) Saturday at the Health and Kinesiology Center.

The Bearkats hit their best performance of the season, finishing the game with a .354 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Jordyn Vaughn led the Sam Houston offense with 12 kills while junior Brooke White added 11. The Kats limited the Sugar Bears (10-13, 4-7 SLC) to a .123 hitting percentage, Sam Houston's fourth-best defensive performance of the season.

Sam Houston (11-11, 5-4 SLC) hits the road to face Houston Baptist on Oct. 27 before facing Lamar on Oct. 29. The Bearkats will return home on Nov. 1 to host Stephen F. Austin State to kickoff a three-game home swing.

Set 1
Sam Houston fired a .423 hitting percentage to take the first set over Central Arkansas 25-18. Vaughn, White and sophomore Amanda Gooch each had three kills while sophomore Taylor Cunningham finished both of her kill attempts. The Bearkat defense held the Sugar Bears to a .088 hitting percentage although UCA's Kellen Dunn led all hitters with five kills.

Set 2
Vaughn added another four kills to her name as the Bearkats won set two 25-20. White and Gooch finished three kills each again. Sam Houston continued its strong offensive production, swinging a .364 hitting percentage behind senior setter Michelle Griffith's 12 assists. Freshman libero Addison Miller led the defensive effort with three digs, keeping Central Arkansas to a .091 hitting percentage.

Set 3
A set that saw Sam Houston trailing most of the way eventually fell in the Bearkats' favor. Midway through the set, the Kats fired four-straight kills from the hands of Vaughn, White and Cunningham to force Central Arkansas to call its first timeout of the set at 15-15. The Bearkats pulled away behind Vaughn and White's combined 10 kills. Central Arkansas fought off four-straight game points before Vaughn ended the set and match 25-23.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Jordyn Vaughn led all Sam Houston hitters with 12 kills alongside a .300 hitting percentage. She also tied for second on the team in digs with seven, just behind Griffith's eight, and assisted on two blocks.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Brenda Gray on the team's 2-0 week…
“We really wanted to take care of this weekend. We knew we were home and that each opponent would bring their A-Game. They were both sitting higher in the standings but we knew where we could stand against them. It was important in our minds to come away with two victories.”

Head coach Brenda Gray on the squad's offensive output…
“I just think we've got five hitters out there at all times and I don't feel as though we can't use a particular person. When Michelle (Griffith) puts a ball somewhere, no everyone knows they will get set, I think they are producing in good numbers. Not one player had more than three errors. I think that was key because we are trying to eliminate those unforced errors.”

Jordyn Vaughn on the Kats' win against UCA…
“After our loss to Abilene (Christian), we just decided we're not going to lose from here on out. I think this season is panning out for us. I listened to coach and watched film and it actually came together today. The energy was amazing even before the match. I had no doubt we would win.”

Jordyn Vaughn on Sam Houston moving to 4-1 at home…
“Ever since I've been at Sam, home games have always been way more comfortable. We have great crowds and everyone's parents always come. It's a great environment. We've grown to love the HKC.”