CLEMSON, S.C. – The Samford University volleyball team opened the 2021 fall campaign with a 3-1 loss to North Carolina A&T in the first match of the Clemson Invite.
BOX SCORE (PDF)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs turned to a younger starting lineup, lead by sophomore setter
Kayla Keshock, as well as juniors
Sarah Hayes Farley and
Emily Naubert, to open the 2021 fall regular season. Both sides exchanged points through the early stages of the first set before Samford took a three-point lead behind back-to-back kills from redshirt-sophomore
Kenya McQuirter. The Dogs extended their lead to four points with a pair of service aces from Keshock. The Aggies fought back forcing the Bulldogs into a late timeout leading Samford 22-18. A kill from
Sarah Hayes Farley and a pair of aces from
Emily Naubert brought the Dogs within one (22-23), but a late push by NC A&T gave them the opening set 25-23.
The second set continued in tight fashion with neither squad able to pull away, until the Bulldogs opened a two-point lead with kills from dominant duo McQuirter and freshman outside hitter
Gracie Lynn Butler forced the Aggies to call a timeout (22-20).
Sarah Hayes Farley took care of the rest, racking up a trio of kills to close out the set 25-22 in favor of the Bulldogs. Samford spread the offensive attack in the second frame with five Dogs: McQuirter, Farley,
Aubrey Pridemore, Butler, and
Kate Wonus, all tallying kills in Samford's second-set victory.
The Bulldogs came out swinging in set three with back-to-back-to-back kills from reigning SoCon freshman of the year
Kenya McQuirter. The Bulldogs continued to pour on the points as the Aggies looked to jump back in the set, taking a 10-6 lead before an NC A&T timeout. However, the Aggies had a run of their own that tied the third set at 17, and the to-and-fro continued until NC A&T pulled to a slim two-point lead at 23-21 forcing the Dog to call their first timeout of the crucial set. Despite the flurry of effort to regain control the Aggies took the third set 25-22.
The Bulldogs found their stride early in the fourth frame pulling out to a 7-4 lead with McQuirter and Farley tallying the Samford kills in the early run. However, the Aggies were able to draw level at 8-8 with a mid-set rally. Samford looked poised for a rally of their own out of a timeout, but were never able to regain their footing with NC A&T wrapping up the match with a 25-15 fourth-set win.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- Double Digit Dogs: McQuirter opened the season with a career high 21 kills in four sets against the Aggies, while Farley tallied 14 kills just one shy of a career performance. On the defensive side both Emily Naubert and Andie Salasky had double digit digs with 13 and 10 respectively.
- McQuirter's .457 hitting percentage paced the Bulldogs throughout the match, while setter Kayla Keshock racked up 35 assists to open her sophomore campaign.
UP NEXT
- The Samford volleyball team will wrap up the Clemson Invite against the host team tomorrow at 10 AM CT, in Jervey Gym in Clemson, S.C.
