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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University volleyball team will play its first home match in over two weeks Tuesday at 7 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide to the Pete Hanna Center for a highly-anticipated, in-state matchup.
 
Samford (3-7) recently completed play in the 2017 Borderland Invitational hosted by New Mexico State University with a 1-3 record. The Bulldogs cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Delaware State on Friday, but then lost three straight matches to close out the event against UTEP, 3-1, Abilene Christian, 3-2, and New Mexico State, 3-0.
 
On Saturday, Samford came up short in a back-and-forth contest against Abilene Christian, before falling to the homestanding Aggies in the nightcap.
 
The Bulldogs' junior setter Taylor Anderton stood out last week and earned all-tournament honors in the four-team, two-day event after accumulating 111 assists in four matches. She averaged 8.54 assists per set in the Borderland Invitational.
 
Samford will be playing at home for the first time since Aug. 26, on Tuesday. The Bulldogs own a 1-2 record when competing in the Pete Hanna Center this season with a 3-0 victory over Southeastern Louisiana and close losses to Ohio and Murray State.
 
Alabama (7-2) heads into Tuesday's contest riding the positive momentum of a four-match winning streak. Since coming up short in a 3-0 loss to Southern Miss on Sept. 2, the Crimson Tide has registered consecutive victories against McNeese State, 3-2, Tennessee State, 3-0, Hofstra, 3-0, and Furman, 3-1.
 
On Aug. 26, Alabama suffered its first defeat of the season at No. 25-ranked Purdue, 3-0. Additionally this year, the Crimson Tide has added wins over Cleveland State, 3-2, Oral Roberts, 3-0, and South Alabama, 3-1.
 
Freshman outside hitter Christine Jarman leads a well-balanced attack of eight Alabama student-athletes with double-digit kills this season. Jarman boasts 88 on the season, while senior middle blocker Leah Lawrence follows closely with 87.
 
On Tuesday, Samford will be facing the Crimson Tide for the second time since 2014 when the pair squared off in Tallahassee, Florida, at the Florida State Regional of the NCAA Volleyball Championship Tournament.

Alabama rallied from being down 2-1 to Samford to win the match 3-2 (25-17, 10-25, 25-23, 25-12, 15-8) to advance to the second round of the regional tournament.
 
Last season, the teams squared off in Tuscaloosa and the Crimson Tide earned a 3-0 win.
 
Following Tuesday's home showdown against Alabama, the Samford University volleyball team will next be in action Friday at 4 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs square off against the FGCU Eagles in the opening match of competition at the 2017 Hoosier Classic Volleyball Tournament being hosted by Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
 
Samford will also face undefeated Indiana on Saturday at 11 a.m., and UNLV at 4 p.m.
 
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