BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University volleyball team embarks on a journey to the Southern Conference Tournament Championships which will take place on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. at the Ramsey Center on Nov. 21-23.

The No. 4 Bulldogs (15-11, 10-6 SoCon) will face a very familiar foe on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CT) as they will take on the No.5 Buccaneers (18-11, 9-7 SoCon) in a quarterfinal matchup which can be viewed live on the SoCon Digital Network.

Samford and ETSU faced each other just this past Saturday to conclude the regular season, a matchup where the Bulldogs took a 3-1 victory on the road over the Bucs inside Brooks Gymnasium on Senior Night.

The winner of Samford and ETSU will face the winner of No. 1 Chattanooga and No.8 Western Carolina/No. 9 The Citadel on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. (CT). The championship match is slated for Monday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. and will be aired live on ESPN 3.

Samford holds a 118-47 record over the tournament field and will look to retain the title of SoCon Tournament Champions to get their second-straight berth to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. ETSU holds an even 2-2 record against Samford headed into this weekend.

The Bulldogs are currently riding a seven-game win streak which helped the team achieve their 5^th straight 10-win season in SoCon play.

All-SoCon Teams Announced
Samford placed two on the All-SoCon Second Team with the selections of redshirt sophomore T.J. Russell and junior Erin Bognar. Redshirt freshman Kate Neisler was selected as the Bulldogs lone representative on the All-SoCon Freshman Team.

Russell ranks third overall in SoCon play in hitting percentage at .321 where she has tallied 116 kills on 249 attempts. Russell also ranks in the Top 10 in SoCon play with an average of 0.80 blocks per set and has 41 total in 16 SoCon matches.

Bognar earns her second overall All-SoCon Second Team selection after having a stellar second half of the season. The St. Louis, Mo. native fourth with 3.61 kills per set and has put down 159 kill in SoCon play. Bognar has tallied four double-doubles over the Bulldogs last six matches.

Neisler earns her first Southern Conference accolade as the Bulldogs lone freshman selected to the All-SoCon Freshman Team. Neisler ranks fourth on Samford's squad in kills with 157 during the entire season while hitting .196. The young talented outside hitter also has been a weapon at the service stripe as she 22 service aces on the season.

2015 SoCon All-Conference Teams and Awards
 
Player of the Year – Annie Bierman, Furman, Jr., OH
 
Libero of the Year – Katherine Santiago, UNCG, Sr., LIB
 
Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year – Allison Penner, UNCG, S    
 
Coach of the Year – Travis Filar, Chattanooga
 
All-SoCon First Team
Rylee Milhorn, ETSU, So., OH
Khadijah Wiley, ETSU, Sr., MB   
Annie Bierman, Furman, Jr., OH   
Jo Wilks, Furman, Sr., S
Ashley Muench, UNCG, So., OH    
Allie Davenport, Chattanooga, Jr., OH
Kristy Wieser, Chattanooga, Jr., MB
 
All-SoCon Second Team
Briana Allmon, ETSU, Jr., OH
Jessica Brezwyn, UNCG, Jr., OH
Katherine Santiago, UNCG, Sr., LIB/DS
Erin Bognar, Samford, Jr., OH
T.J. Russell, Samford, R-So., MB
Catherine Chason, Chattanooga, Sr., LIB
Lauren Greenspoon, Chattanooga, So., S
 
All-Freshman Team
Hailey Aguilar, ETSU, LIB
Carris Campbell, Furman, MB
Jamila Johnson, Furman, OH
Paige Alsten, Mercer, MB
Jasmine Jones, UNCG, MH        
Allison Penner, UNCG, S   
Kate Neisler, Samford, OH