Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Samford University volleyball team split its opening round matches in the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Invitational on Friday, falling to WKU 3-0 before rallying to defeat UT-Martin 3-1. Lauren Deaton and Kenya McQuirter combined for 60 kills in the two matches.

BOX SCORE (PDF): #15 WKU
BOX SCORE (PDF): UT Martin

HOW IT HAPPENED: #15 WKU
 
In the early going of the first set the Bulldogs hung with the Hilltoppers shot for shot, after a kill from Kate Wonus tied the set at 5-5. Although the Dogs were able to keep the runs to a minimum, Western Kentucky opened a 20-12 lead eventually taking the set 25-14.
 
Senior outside hitter Lauren Deaton and redshirt-sophomore each recorded five kills as the Bulldogs had a strong showing in the second set overcoming a 14-10 deficit to lead the Hilltoppers 20-18. After a Western Kentucky timeout the teams played a back-and-forth set until WKU edged out the Dogs 26-24 to take a two-set lead.

In the final set, the Bulldogs hung tough through the early part of the frame with a kill from McQuirter pulling the Dogs within one (8-7). WKU continued to cling to a slim lead, as the Bulldogs' late push came too late with WKU sealing the match with a third set victory, 25-18.

FROM THE BOX SCORE

• Kenya McQuirter continued her stellar play, recording 11 kills while finishing with a .450 hitting percentage.
• Kayla Keshock tallied 28 assists to lead the Bulldogs.
• Lauren Matthews paced the No. 15 Hilltoppers with 11 kills.
• WKU edged Samford 27-24 in digs.  

HOW IT HAPPENED: UT MARTIN
 
The Bulldogs raced out to a 2-0 set lead after claiming the opening frame, 25-19, and the second, 25-15.

Samford recorded 24 kills in the first two sets before UT-Martin rallied to win the third, 25-18. The Skyhawks edged the Bulldogs 15-13 in kills while Samford allowed just one attack error.

In the decisive fourth set, Samford and UT-Martin traded points for the entire set before the Bulldogs took control by the winning the three of the final four points of the match including back-to-back attack errors by the Skyhawks.     


FROM THE BOX SCORE

• Deaton closed out the match with a team-high 24 kills while McQuirter finished with 17.
• Keshock totaled a game-high 46 assists.     

UP NEXT

• The Bulldogs are back in Diddle Arena tomorrow morning to face off against the Rebels of the University of Mississippi at 11 AM.

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).