CHARLOTTE, N.C. – 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. 

With the 49ers leading set one 9-8, Furman went on a 10-2 run to take a commanding 18-11 lead.  Charlotte then won four out of five points to slice the lead to four at 19-15, but the Paladins answered with a 5-1 run for a 24-16 advantage.  Charlotte capitalized off two Furman errors to cut into the lead, but a kill from senior Kelly Kirby gave the Paladins the 25-18 victory.

The teams were tied at 8-8 in the second set before Charlotte scored three-straight points for an 11-8 lead.  The 49ers kept the advantage and led 16-13 before the Paladins scored three-straight to tie the match at 16.  The score remained tied at 22, then Charlotte's Bianca Rose notched a kill for a 23-22 lead, but Furman tied the match again off a kill from sophomore Christina Dorismond.  Following a 49er timeout, Ambrester recorded two kills to clinch the 25-23 set win, giving Furman a 2-0 lead at the break. 

Furman jumped out to an early 10-4 lead in set three, then Charlotte answered with a 5-2 run to chip into the lead, but could come no closer than three points at 12-9.  After building a 17-12 lead, Furman won eight out of the last 10 points for a 25-14 win.

Ambrester recorded a double-double, leading the team with 12 kills and 18 digs, while Kirby added a double-double of her own with a team-high 22 assists and 11 digs.  Braun also tallied a double-double with 17 assists and 12 digs.  Shaffer led the Paladins with a .400 attack percentage and added seven kills and three blocks in the victory. 

Charlotte (5-4) was led by Leah Leventhal, who notched 11 kills.  Sheri Davis had 22 assists for the 49ers, while Bianca Rouse tallied 11 digs. 

Furman (7-3) will play at Clemson on September 14 at 7 p.m.