MOBILE, Ala. – For the second consecutive week the Samford University volleyball team climbed back from the depths of defeat to win a match in thrilling fashion. The Bulldogs rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to McNeese State University to win 3-2 at the Jaguar Invitational on Friday, Sept. 11^th, inside Jag Gym.

During the entire 2014 season Samford (3-2) never took a match after it had dropped the first two sets but this isn't necessarily the team from 2014…it's a different one. Last week the Bulldogs dropped 2-0 in a raucous environment at Tennessee State but found a way to win 3-2 and improve to 2-2 on the season.

"We're still working to be more reliable at the beginning of matches and we will be asking a lot more of our upper classmen along with our youngsters to step up in that regard going forward." Head Coach Derek Schroeder said. "We did show the heart of a champion today and I'm happy about that but we still have to work on our execution early in matches."

McNeese (1-5) pushed Samford into a very familiar situation and took a 2-0 lead in the match but since it was familiar the Bulldogs knew exactly how to handle the pressure.

The potent Samford offense was held to a negative attack percentage (-.037) where it had more errors (8) than kills (7) in the first set which allowed the Cowgirls to cruise to a 25-11 victory to open the match.

Adjustments were made and the offensive output was dramatically improved as the Bulldogs tallied a .524 attack percentage through 13 kills on 21 attacks with only two errors. McNeese eventually still took the set but this time by a narrow 25-22 decision.

Held without a service ace in the first two sets, Samford finally picked up its' first of the match in the third set at a critical moment. Redshirt freshman Kate Neisler drove the ball deep in the seam to give the Bulldogs a 16-15 lead in the set which turned the momentum completely. Neisler was one of four players who finished the match with double-digit kills as she tallied 13 (.370) and seven digs.

Junior middle Kiahna Wicks finished the match with 12 kills (.647) and three blocks while redshirt sophomore T.J. Russell ripped off 11 kills (.308) and freshman Krista Boesing tied Neisler's team-high 13 kills (.219) to round out performance.

Setter Erika Pifer received her first action of the season and was brought in after the first set to run the Bulldogs offense. Pifer dished out 41 assists, ripped up six digs and recorded three block assists in the afternoon action.

Sophomore Morgan St. Germain tallied her third-straight 20+ dig performance as she scooped 21 digs through five sets.

Samford will continue play in the Jaguar Invitation on Saturday, Sept. 12^th, when the team faces Houston Baptist University at 10:30 a.m.