FULL MATCH NOTES (PDF)
SAMFORD RETURNS TO BIRMINGHAM FOR HOME OPENER
Samford will play at home for the first time this season as they host the University of North Alabama on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m CT in the Pete Hanna Center.
FREE LIVE VIDEO STREAMING ON SAMFORD SPORTS TV
Wednesday's match and all of Samford's home matches this season will be video streamed for FREE through Samford Sports TV. On gameday, head to www.samfordsports.com/showcase and click the video link.
Live stats will also be available by following the link on the Samford volleyball schedule page.
POSTGAME AUTOGRAPH SESSION
Fans, make sure to stick around after the match as members of the Samford volleyball team will be available to sign posters.
HOME SWEET HOME
Under Head Coach
Derek Schroeder, the Bulldogs have a stellar 41-7 record at home, a winning percentage of .854. He is also 4-0 in home openers since joining Samford in 2008.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
North Alabama (1-3, 0-0 Gulf South) - The Lions went 1-3 in their opening weekend at the West Texas A&M Lady Buff Classic. They started the tournament with a 3-0 sweep over Western State and then fell to West Texas A&M, Adams State and Eastern New Mexico. North Alabama was picked to finish second in the Gulf South Conference this season after making its third-consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament last season. Senior outside hitter Priscilla Massengale was selected to the 2012 Preseason All-GSC Team after earning second-team honors last season averaging 2.59 kills per set. The Lions are led by Head Coach Stephanie Radecki who begins her ninth season in Florence, Ala.
HISTORY LESSON
Samford has played North Alabama only twice in program history, owning a 1-1 record agains the Lions. Their last meeting was in 1997, a 3-0 victory for North Alabama. Samford took the first meeting however, a 3-0 victory in 1992.
NEISLER VS. NEISLER
Samford outside hitter
Elizabeth Neisler will be facing off against her sister, North Alabama setter Caroline Neisler, for the first time ever in a regular-season matchup. They are both graduates of Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Ala., and played for the club team Team Sting.
BULLDOGS OPEN WITH WIN IN LOUISVILLE THEN FALL IN TWO TOUGH MATCHES
Samford's difficult preseason slate continued at the Cardinal Classic last weekend, hosted by the University of Louisville. After a tough opening weekend in Miami, Samford rebounded with their opening match against Marshall, sweeping the Thundering Herd 25-20, 25-11 and 26-24. The 14-point victory in set two is Samford's most decisive victory so far this season. The Samford offense had nearly twice as many kills as their opponent, who was limited to a .027 hitting percentage.
Samford looked to use that positive momentum in a matchup the next day against ACC foe, Duke. The Blue Devils pulled away at the very end of the first set to win, 25-20, but Samford would come right back and take set two, 25-23, to even the match at 1-1. Duke got out to a lopsided start in set three, leading 21-12, but Samford threatened with four consecutive points to draw within five. Duke would win by that five-point margin, 25-20, and then would win set four, 25-10, as the Bulldogs fell 3-1.
Against the host team Louisville in the tournament finale, Samford came out strongly right away, taking possession up 22-20 in set one, threatening to put the Cardinal behind early. However, Louisville answered with five consecutive points to take the frame, 25-20, and then they stetched the match lead to 2-0 with a 25-15 set two win. The Bulldogs earned a gutsy set three win, 25-22, coming back in the late stages to avoid a Louisville sweep. The Cardinal would earn the 3-1 win in set four however, defeating Samford 25-15.
UP NEXT
Samford heads to Atlanta, Ga., for the Georgia State Tournament, playing three matches over two days. The Bulldogs open the weekend against host team Georgia State on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. ET. Samford then faces South Alabama (10 a.m. ET) and Mercer (5 p.m. ET) on Saturday, Sept. 8.
