BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford volleyball team opened their five-match homestand with a resounding 3-1 win over the Western Carolina Catamounts, Friday.

Box Score (PDF)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:  
The Bulldogs came out with vengeance in the opening frame. A hot start from outside hitters, Kenya McQuirter and Lauren Deaton, assisted by a number of Catamount errors opened a six-point advantage for Samford. Emily Naubert stepped behind the service line and dropped an ace forcing the Catamounts into an early timeout as the Dogs opened an 11-4 lead. The Bulldogs did not let up on the gas closing the opening set with a resounding 25-14 score line.
 
The second set opened much like the first behind a strong serving run from Kate Morgan, as McQuirter put away a long rally for the Bulldogs bringing the Pete to an uproar. Morgan's service run grew to six-points before Western Carolina was forced to call a desperate timeout. Out of the timeout, Western Carolina responded with a massive run tying the second set at 8-8. However, Samford responded inching back ahead of the Catamounts as a Deaton kill and subsequent service ace forced Western Carolina to call their final timeout of the second set. Samford looked to be on cruise control to a second set victory before WCU made a late run, saving three set points, leading to a Bulldog timeout.
 
Unlike the previous two sets, the early portion of the third frame was a seesaw between the Catamounts and Bulldogs with neither team able to pull away from the other. The set remained close midway through the frame with WCU taking a one-point advantage into the media timeout. Late in the third set, Western Carolina opened a four-point lead (20-16), despite a Bulldog run, the Catamounts took the third set 25-23.
 
Samford looked to avenge their four-set loss to Western Carolina earlier this season by closing it out in four on their home court. It was much a back-and-forth affair in the fourth frame as each team held a slim lead, before the other would draw level. Just as it looked like the Catamounts would take the lead into the media timeout, Samford went on a 3-0 run to take a 15-14 advantage into the break. Out of the timeout Western Carolina made a few mini runs to pull closer but it was the Bulldogs who opened a 19-17 advantage forcing a timeout from the visitors. However, WCU battled back forcing extra points before the Bulldogs finally wrapped up the match taking the fourth set 29-27.

FROM THE BOX SCORE

• McQuirter was unstoppable offensively posting 20 kills in her return to action after missing the Bulldogs' two road matches last week.
• Double digit digs: four Bulldogs recorded double-digits in the dig column with Naubert leading the way 17 digs, with Andie Salasky, Kayla Keshock, and Deaton recording 12 each.
• Keshock also posted half a century in the assist column marking her third match with 50+ assists.
• For Western Carolina, Merry Gebel led the way with 13 kills and 16 digs.

UP NEXT

• The Bulldogs will be back in action tomorrow, Oct. 30, against UNCG at 5 PM CT in the Pete Hanna Center.

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford volleyball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at @SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordVB (Instagram) and @SamfordVB (Twitter).