GAME NOTES - NKU INVITATIONAL (09.05-06.14)
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Samford University volleyball team opened the 2014 season in exciting fasion going 2-1 at the Samford-UAB Volleyball Challenge but is now set to compete in another invitational on September 5 and 6. The team travels to Highland Heights, Kentucky to take on host institution Northern Kentucky University on September 5, at 6 p.m. CT before taking on Eastern Michigan University and Southern Illinios University - Edwardsville on September 6, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.
THE VOLLEY• This will be the first time the Bulldogs have faced any of the three opponents they will take on this weekend.
• The Bulldogs opened the 2014 season with a successful weekend at the Samford - UAB Volleyball Challenge on August 29 & 30, as the team finished with a 2-1 record. The Bulldogs picked up wins over Georgia State University and in-state foe Jacksonville State University taking both matches 3-0. SU dropped its' final contest of the tournament 3-1 against No.16 ranked Michigan State University on Saturday, August 30.• Seniors
Michaela Reesor and
Chelsi Carter picked up all-tournament honors at the Samford-UABVolleyball Challenge. Reesor, the reigning SoCon Player of the Year tallied 39 kills on the weekend and marked a .589 attack percentage with 18 kills on 29 attempts in the match against the Gamecocks. Carter tallied 49 digs over the three match span with a season-high 27 digs against the nationally ranked Spartans.
• Sophomore
Erika Pifer really stepped into the limelight as the squad's starting setter. The DeLand, Fla. native tallied 100 total assists over the weekend and recorded 43 assists in each match against JSU and MSU.
• Samford is now set to travel to Highland Heights, Kentucky to compete in the Northern Kentucky University Invitational on September 5 and 6. The Bulldogs will take on the host institution Northern Kentucky to start the tournament then will face Eastern Michigan University the following day along with the University of Southern Illinios - Edwardsville to wrap up the weekend.
• Much like last season the Bulldogs were tabbed at the SoCon preseason in 2013 and have found their way to being named the 2014 preseason favorite after the team received seven of the nine first-place votes and an overall 63 points. SU made it all the way to the SoCon Championship game in 2013 but fell in the final match to Georgia Southern to finish second.
The Bulldogs will be in action next weekend as they travel to Highland Heights, Kentucky to participate in the NKU Invitational hosted by Northern Kentucky University. Check back with SamfordSports.com for all of the up-to-date action with Samford volleyball.
GAME NOTES - NKU INVITATIONAL (09.05-06.14)
