BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. will mark the first time during the 2015 season that the Samford University volleyball team will have played a home match inside the Pete Hanna Center. The team hasn't played an official home match since Nov. 15, 2014.

The Bulldogs (5-5) come home after competing in tournaments the past four weekends across the state of Alabama and even as far north as Morehead, Kentucky. During that time the team was tested both mentally and physically with the challenges of early mornings and late nights along with competing in tough environments.

Samford welcomes Mercer University (4-7) to the Pete Hanna Center for the Friday evening match of the two game homestand. Tabbed as the Papa John's Pizza Night match, free Papa John's will be given away while supplies last during the match. The two programs will square off for the 39^th time with the Bulldogs holding a commanding 32-6 record over the Bears.

While on the road the Bulldogs have seen new players grow through adversity and will look to showcase those players during Friday's match. Freshman outside hitter Krista Boesing leads Samford with 108 total kills (2.84 k/s) on the season while fellow freshman Alana Schouten paces the team with 14 service aces.

Defensively, sophomore transfer libero Morgan St. Germain has given Samford much needed depth on the back row and has produced 153 total digs (4.03 d/s). After being sidelined due to injury, the Bulldogs look to see junior Mattie Newson ease back into competition and add even more depth to the back row defense.

Samford closes out the weekend with a home match against UNCG (10-5) on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. It will go down as the 15^th overall meeting between the two squads with the Bulldogs holding an 11-3 record against the Spartans.