BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University volleyball team hosted Alabama in a four-set exhibition, Saturday, in the Pete Hanna Center. Alabama took three of the four sets, with the Bulldogs taking a set off the SEC opponent.

BOX SCORE (PDF)

HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Exhibition or not, the energy was high in the Pete Hanna Center as the Bulldogs opened the 2021 fall season. True freshmen Gracie Lynn Butler and Kate Morgan got the nod from head coach Keylor Chan in the starting lineup. The Bulldogs found ways to isolate the early Alabama runs, but the Crimson Tide pulled away down the stretch to claim a 25-18 opening set victory.
 
The Bulldogs bounced back early in the second set holding a slim margin over the Crimson Tide, before an Alabama mini run tied-up the set. The teams traded points through much of the set, before Samford's mini-run heading into the media timeout gave the Dogs a 15-12 advantage. The Dogs extended their lead out of the media with a kill from Sarah Hayes Farley and an ace from Kayla Keshock forced a timeout from the Crimson Tide. The momentum continued in Samford's favor as three-straight points forced Alabama to use their final timeout of the set, but the Bulldogs were not to be denied as Lauren Deaton slammed the door with a shot down the line taking the set 25-19.
 
In the third set, a new rotation for the Bulldogs saw Andie Salasky take over the libero duties, while defensive specialist Lilly Smith and right side Cameron Spence got their first action of the season. Out of an early timeout Samford's run brought the Dogs within two (10-12). Alabama forced another Bulldog timeout with a run of their own taking a 20-16 lead that they would never relinquish securing the third set 25-18.
 
The final set saw Emily Naubert return to the match as Samford's libero, with a young Bulldog unit on the floor. The Tide went out to an early lead, but Samford responded to tie the final set at 6 apiece. An Alabama attack error and a resounding block from Kate Wonus and Gracie Lynn Butler gave the Bulldogs an 8-6 advantage. The set went back-and-forth with neither squad able to gain a substantial lead, until the Tide claimed back-to-back points forcing Samford to call a timeout with Alabama leading 20-18. The Bulldogs staved off three-straight match points before Alabama claimed the match with a 25-23 win in the fourth set.
 
FROM THE BOX SCORE

• Bulldog depth was on display with fifteen rostered student-athletes seeing action against the SEC foe.
• Freshman defensive specialist, Kate Morgan, and libero, Emily Naubert, turned the Pete into dig city as Morgan racked up eight digs in her collegiate debut, with Naubert capturing 16 on the night.
• Sarah Hayes Farley, Andie Salasky, and Naubert were the only Bulldogs to see action in all four sets. Farley tallied eight kills, while Salasky had an ace and five digs on the afternoon.
• Gracie Lynn Butler had a strong debut with eight kills in three sets, while veteran outside hitter Lauren Deaton lead the team with nine kills.  

UP NEXT

• The Samford volleyball team will head to Clemson, S.C. for the 2021 Clemson Invite where they will face North Carolina A&T August 27 at 4 PM CT and the hosts on August 28 at 10 AM CT.

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