2011-12 Furman Volleyball News

April 23, 2012
Forcier, Shelnutt Named 2011-12 Furman Athletes Of The Year
Quarterback Chris Forcier and women’s soccer standout Rachel Shelnutt were named Furman Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively, Monday evening at the school’s ESPY style all-sports awards banquet held at Timmons Arena.

March 27, 2012
Furman Signs Six To National Letters Of Intent
Furman head volleyball coach Michelle Young announced today the signing of six players to national letters of intent.

November 20, 2011
Furman Falls To Samford In SoCon Championship Semifinal match
The Samford volleyball team swept Furman, 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-13), Sunday evening in the semifinals of the Southern Conference Championship at the Pete Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the conference championship match for the first time since joining the league in 2008.

November 19, 2011
Furman Sweeps Western Carolina To Advance To Semifinals Of SoCon Tournament
Junior All-Southern Conference second team selection Natalie Braun hit .444 with 20 kills and 13 digs as the Furman volleyball team swept Western Carolina 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-23) Saturday afternoon in the first round of the SoCon Championship at the Pete Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. With the win, the Paladins (21-8, 13-3 SoCon) advance to Sunday’s semifinal round, where they will face host Samford at 5:30 p.m.

November 16, 2011
Kirby, Braun, & Adams Named To All-SoCon Volleyball Teams
Furman senior Kelly Kirby was named to the All-Southern Conference volleyball first team, while juniors Natalie Braun and Caroline Adams represented the Paladins on the second team, as announced today by the league office. Balloting was conducted by the league’s 12 coaches.

November 15, 2011
Furman To Face Western Carolina In First Round Of SoCon Championship
Furman has earned the #2 position in the Southern Division and will face Western Carolina, the #3 team in the Northern Division, Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the first round of the Southern Conference volleyball championship at Pete Hanna Center at Samford University.

November 12, 2011
Senior Trio Leads Furman To 3-0 Win Over Davidson To Complete Undefeated Home Season
The senior trio of Carolyn Nicoletti, Kelly Kirby, and Alexis Shaffer recorded 20 kills and 23 digs collectively to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-9) win over Davidson Saturday night in Alley Gymnasium, completing an undefeated home season. Nicoletti posted 14 digs, while Kirby hit .391 with 10 kills and 17 assists. Shaffer paced the Paladins with a .429 attack percentage and tallied 10 kills.

November 11, 2011
Kirby, Braun Notch Triple-Doubles In Paladin Win Over Georgia Southern
Senior Kelly Kirby and junior Natalie Braun each notched a triple-double to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 25-12, 25-20) win over Georgia Southern Friday night in Alley Gymnasium. The win avenged a loss to the Eagles earlier this season in Statesboro.

November 9, 2011
Furman To Conclude 2011 Regular Season This Weekend
The Furman volleyball team will conclude the 2011 regular season when it entertain its final two home foes this weekend in Alley Gymnasium. Admission is free to both matches.

November 7, 2011
Nicoletti Selected SoCon Defensive Player Of The Week
Furman senior Carolyn Nicoletti was named the Southern Conference volleyball defensive player of the week for the matches played the week of November 7. The players of the week are voted on by the league office.

November 5, 2011
Paladins Fall To College Of Charleston, 3-0
Kelly Kolich notched 13 kills to lead the College of Charleston volleyball team to a 3-0 (28-26, 25-18, 26-24) win over Furman Saturday afternoon in Charleston.

November 4, 2011
Furman Blanks The Citadel, 3-0
Senior Kelly Kirby hit .556 and recorded a double-double as the Furman volleyball team blanked The Citadel 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-22) Friday night in Charleston. Kirby led the Paladins with 11 kills and 21 assists, as the team extended its winning streak to six matches with the win.

November 2, 2011
Furman Extends Winning Streak To Five Matches With 3-0 Win At Wofford
Junior Natalie Braun recorded her eleventh double-double of the season as the Furman volleyball team extended its winning streak to five matches with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-19) win at Wofford Wednesday night in Benjamin Johnson Arena in Spartanburg, S.C. Braun had a team-high 12 kills and 13 assists for the Paladins.

October 27, 2011
Furman Opens Road Swing With 3-0 Win At Chattanooga
Senior Kelly Kirby notched her fourteenth double-double of the season to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 25-12) win over Chattanooga Thursday night in Maclellan Gym in Chattanooga, Tenn.

October 22, 2011
Furman Concludes Home-Stand With 3-0 Win Over Elon
Junior Caroline Adams hit .524 with 11 kills and six blocks as the Furman volleyball team blanked Elon, 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-21), Saturday night in Alley Gymnasium in Greenville, S.C.

October 21, 2011
Braun Notches Sixth Triple-Double Of Season As Furman Rolls Past UNC Greensboro, 3-0
Junior Natalie Braun notched her sixth triple-double of the season as the Furman volleyball team rolled past UNC Greensboro, 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-17), Friday night in Alley Gymnasium in Greenville, S.C. Braun hit .500 and recorded 11 kills, 19 assists, and 14 digs in the win.

October 20, 2011
Paladins To Entertain UNC Greensboro, Elon This Weekend
The Furman volleyball team returns home to Alley Gymnasium this weekend as the Paladins entertain two Southern Conference foes during the school’s homecoming festivities. Admission is free to both matches.

October 16, 2011
Paladins Rebound For 3-1 Victory At Western Carolina
Senior Christina Curry hit .500 with 12 kills as the Furman volleyball team rebounded for a 3-1 (17-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18) win over Western Carolina Sunday afternoon at the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C.

October 15, 2011
Appalachian State Blanks Furman, 3-0
Maggie Seeds hit .500 with 11 kills as the Appalachian State volleyball team blanked Furman, 3-0 (25-18, 26-24, 25-19) Saturday afternoon in the Holmes Center in Boone, N.C.

October 10, 2011
Dorismond Named SoCon Offensive Player Of The Week
Furman sophomore Christina Dorismond was named the Southern Conference volleyball offensive player of the week for the matches played the week of October 10. The players of the week are voted on by the league office.

October 8, 2011
Furman Holds Off The Citadel, 3-1
Sophomore Christina Dorismond hit .556 with 11 kills as the Furman volleyball team held off The Citadel 3-1 (25-16, 17-25, 25-18, 25-12) Saturday night in Alley Gymnasium in Greenville, S.C.

October 7, 2011
Paladins Hand College Of Charleston First SoCon Loss In Thrilling Rally In The Alley
Fueled by the serves of junior Natalie Braun, the Furman volleyball team put together a 13-0 run to open set four en route to a 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-6) victory over the College of Charleston Friday night in Alley Gymnasium in Greenville, S.C. The Paladins, who handed the Cougars their first Southern Conference loss of the season, moved into a tie for first place with College of Charleston in the SoCon’s South Division.

October 6, 2011
Paladins Prepare For Key SoCon Match-Ups
The Furman volleyball team is preparing for two key Southern Conference match-ups this weekend. The Paladins will play host to the College of Charleston, the SoCon’s only unbeaten team, on Friday at 7 p.m., then face The Citadel Saturday at 7 p.m. in Alley Gymnasium. Admission is free to both events.

October 5, 2011
Paladins To Entertain Wofford Wednesday
The Furman volleyball team will entertain Wofford Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Alley Gymnasium. The match marks the 41st meeting between the two schools. The Paladins defeated the Terriers 3-1 in Spartanburg last season then topped Wofford 3-1 in Alley Gymnasium in the team’s second meeting of 2010. Furman leads the all-time series, 36-4.

October 5, 2011
Paladins Top Wofford, 3-0, In SoCon Volleyball Action
Junior Chandler Ambrester notched a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-14) win over Wofford Wednesday night in Alley Gymnasium in Greenville, S.C.

October 3, 2011
Kelly Kirby Named SoCon Offensive Player Of The Week
Furman senior Kelly Kirby was named the Southern Conference volleyball defensive player of the week for the matches played the week of October 3. The players of the week are voted on by the league office.

October 1, 2011
Paladins Open Four-Match Homestand With 3-0 Win Over Samford
Senior Kelly Kirby hit .500 and recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 18 assists to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 28-26) win over Samford Saturday afternoon at Alley Gymnasium in the Paladins’ 2011 home opener.

September 30, 2011
Volleyball Opens 2011 Home Season Saturday
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman volleyball team will entertain Samford Saturday at 2 p.m. in Alley Gymnasium in the Paladins’ 2011 home opener. The match marks the 14th meeting between the two schools. The Bulldogs defeated the Paladins, 3-2, in Birmingham last season. Furman leads the all-time series, 11-2.

September 24, 2011
Paladins Fall At Georgia Southern, 3-0
Meredith Paskert hit .407 with 12 kills to lead the Georgia Southern volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-15, 27-25, 25-23) win over Furman Saturday afternoon at Old Hanner Gym in Statesboro, Ga.

September 22, 2011
Paladins Open SoCon Season With 3-1 Win At Davidson
Junior Caroline Adams hit .375 with 12 kills to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-14, 25-20) win over Davidson Thursday night at Belk Arena in Davidson, N.C.

September 15, 2011
Georgia Tech Slips Past Furman In 3-1 Thriller
Monique Mead notched 29 kills to lead the Georgia Tech volleyball team to a 3-1 (17-25, 25-19, 25-22, 29-27) win over Furman Thursday night at Jervey Gymnasium in Clemson, S.C.

September 14, 2011
Clemson Blanks Furman, 3-0
Alexa Rand hit .611 with eleven kills to lead the Clemson volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-20) win over Furman Wednesday night at Jervey Gymnasium in Clemson, S.C.

September 10, 2011
Ambrester Chosen Tournament MVP As Furman Sweeps Hilton University 49er Tournament
Junior Chandler Ambrester was chosen tournament MVP after the Furman volleyball team defeated Charlotte, 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-14), Saturday to sweep the Hilton University 49er Tournament in Charlotte, N.C. Junior Natalie Braun and senior Alexis Shaffer represented the Paladins on the all-tournament team, as Furman recorded its third-straight 3-0 shutout to close out the tournament.

September 10, 2011
Kirby Leads Paladins Past Cambell, 3-0, At Hilton University 49er Tournament
Senior Kelly Kirby hit .727 with nine kills and recorded a double-double with 13 assists and 14 digs to lead the Furman volleyball team past Campbell, 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-19), Saturday morning at the Hilton University 49er Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.

September 9, 2011
Paladins Blank Morgan State, 3-0, To Open Hilton University 49er Tournament
Junior Chandler Ambrester hit .450 with 10 kills as the Furman volleyball team blanked Morgan State, 3-0 (25-9, 25-16, 25-16), Saturday in the Paladins’ opening match at the Hilton University 49er Tournament in Charlotte, N.C.

September 3, 2011
Braun Leads Paladins Past Florida Gulf Coast, 3-1
Junior Natalie Braun notched her third triple-double of the season to lead the Furman volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-14, 25-20) win over Florida Gulf Coast Saturday in the Paladins’ final match at the FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational in Ft. Meyers, Fla. Braun tallied 11 kills, 28 assist, and 13 digs in the victory.

September 2, 2011
Paladins Drop 3-0 Match To UCF To Open FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational
The UCF volleyball team defeated Furman 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-20) Friday afternoon in the Paladins’ opening match at the FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational in Ft. Meyers, Fla. Earlier in the day, the Knights surprised #3 Southern Cal, also handing the Trojans a 3-0 defeat.

August 30, 2011
Furman Blanks Presbyterian, 3-0, To Extend Winning Streak To Three Matches
Senior Kelly Kirby recorded a double-double and led the Paladins with 27 assists and 10 digs as the Furman volleyball team blanked Presbyterian, 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-12), Tuesday at Templeton Arena in Clinton, S.C.

August 29, 2011
Nicoletti Selected SoCon Defensive Player Of The Week
Furman senior Carolyn Nicoletti was named the Southern Conference volleyball defensive player of the week for the matches played the week of August 29. The players of the week are voted on by the league office.

August 27, 2011
Furman Picks Up First SoCon Win Over Big Ten Opponent With 3-1 Victory Over Wisconsin
Furman picked up its first win of the season and the first win over a Big Ten opponent for any Southern Conference team with a 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18) victory over Wisconsin Saturday at the Duke Volleyball Invitational in Durham, N.C. Junior Natalie Braun recorded a triple-double for the Paladins, posting 21 assists, 16 digs, and 10 kills.

August 27, 2011
Paladins Slip Past Charleston Southern, 3-1; Nicoletti & Braun Namded To Duke Invite All-Tourney Team
Furman slipped past Charleston Southern 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19) Saturday to conclude the Duke Volleyball Invitational in Durham, N.C. Senior Carolyn Nicoletti and junior Natalie Braun represented the Paladins on the all-tournament team.

August 26, 2011
#17 Duke Defeats Furman 3-1 To Open 2011 Season
Furman won the opening set against #17 Duke before the Blue Devils rallied back to take a 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-15) victory over the Paladins at the Duke Volleyball Invitational Friday evening in Durham, N.C., in the season opener for both teams. Senior Kelly Kirby recorded a triple-double for the Paladins, tallying 19 assists, 12 digs, and 10 kills.

August 25, 2011
Volleyball To Open 2011 Season At #17 Duke
The Furman volleyball team will travel to Durham, N.C., this weekend to open the 2011 season at the Duke Invitational. On Friday, the Paladins will face reigning ACC Champion Duke at 7 p.m. in the season opener for both teams. The Blue Devils, ranked 17th nationally in the AVCA preseason poll, hold a 2-0 lead in the series and defeated Furman 3-0 in 1993 in the last meeting between the two teams.

August 17, 2011
Kirby Named To SoCon Preseason All-Conference Team; Paladins Picked To Finish 3rd In SoCon South Region
Furman senior Kelly Kirby was selected to the Southern Conference volleyball preseason all-conference team, and the Paladins were picked by the league’s coaches to finish third in the South Region, as announced by the conference office today. The Paladins received one first-place vote and 52 total points.

July 19, 2011
Furman Volleyball Releases 2011 Schedule
Furman volleyball head coach Michelle Young announced today the Paladins’ 2011 schedule. The team will compete in three early season tournaments before beginning Southern Conference play at Davidson on Sept. 25.