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August 30, 2002 | Stats

Sophomore Courtney Mulford had 32 assists for the Eagles.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Despite saving its finest play for the third game, the American University volleyball team dropped its season opener to host Louisville at the Labor Day Classic at the Cardinal Arena Friday night with scores of 23-30, 28-30, 24-30.

The Eagles, picked to defend their 2001 Patriot League championship title this season in the Patriot League preseason poll, were paced by junior All-American candidate Karla Kucerkova (Olomouc, Czech Republic/Brno), who led all players with 16 kills while Natalie Hand (Keizer, Ore./McNary) was critical with 17 digs in an impressive show at the new Libero position. Sophomore Courtney Mulford (San Diego, Calif./La Costa Canyon) registered 32 assists for American.

AU committed 22 errors to the Cardinals’ 25 including eight at the service line.

Sophomore Sun Bing (Beijing, China/Huairon) and 2001 All-Midwest and Conference USA First Team pick Sonja Percan (Pula, Croatia/Secondary School of Business) combined for 24 kills. Freshman Jennifer Craven (Louisville, Ky./Assumption) had 39 saves for Louisville.

The Eagles will face No 6 Arizona at 10 a.m. and UT-Arlington at 5 p.m. on Saturday in Day 2 of the tournament.

In the earlier match between 2001 NCAA Tournament Final Four participant Arizona and last year’s Southland Conference and NCAA Tournament team University of Texas-Arlington, the Wildcats won 3-1 by scores of 30-21, 27-30, 30-18 and 30-28.

Match Summary
Kills: Louisville 50; American 36
Attack Percentage: Louisville .208; American .121
Blocks: American 5; Louisville 3
Assists: Louisville 45; American 32