BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Samford University volleyball team stepped right back into Southern Conference play without missing a beat as they dispatched Western Carolina University 3-0 on Friday, Oct. 3, in its annual Dig Orange match inside the Pete Hanna Center.

"It was a very solid team effort with focused determination." Head Coach Derek Schroeder said. "It was definitely a Bulldog style win!"

Senior libero Chelsi Carter was all over the court in the victory as she tallied 18 digs, a service ace and a kill in the match.

"Our serve receive passers were good but Chelsi was exceptional tonight in many ways!" Schroeder said.

The Bulldogs (8-7, 2-0 SoCon) opened up the first set of action with a 25-23 win over the Catamounts (7-10, 0-3 SoCon). Senior Michaela Reesor led the offensive charge with five kills and was followed but redshirt freshman T.J. Russell who tabbed four in the set.

SU handled the WCU offense attack better in the second set as the squad put away a 25-20 decision to go ahead 2-0 in the match. Reesor continued Samford's evenly paced offensive assault to bring her kill total to nine by the intermission.

Samford used an effective offensive attack in the third set to put away the match as the team record 18 kills on 36 attacks (.472) while only having committed one attack error.

Sophomores Gabbi Greenwald and Erin Bognar filled in nicely on the offensive side of the ball as each recorded nine and eight kills apiece.

The Bulldogs will return to action tomorrow on Oct. 4, to take on The Citadel inside the Pete Hanna Center. Match is slated to start at 7 p.m.