GAME NOTES: Wofford @ Samford (9.24.21)
Complete weekly release in PDF format

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Bulldogs (1-10, 0-0 SoCon) of Samford University will jump into Southern Conference play this Friday, Sept. 24 the Terriers (6-7, 0-1 SoCon) of Wofford College. First serve is set for 7 PM at the Pete Hanna Center and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.    

Samford and Wofford are meeting for the 25th time since the Bulldogs joined the SoCon in 2008. SU leads the all-time series 19-5 including a 3-0 mark during the spring season. The Bulldogs swept the Terriers 3-1, 3-0 during the regular season at the Pete Hanna Center before eliminating Wofford en route to the SoCon Tournament Championship 3-1

Tickets to both matches are available online at SamfordTickets.com!

NOTES
Opponent: Wofford
Date: Friday, Sept. 24
Location: Pete Hanna Center   
Time: 7 PM CT
Live Stats
Watch Live ESPN+

Opponent: The Citadel
Date: Saturday, Sept. 25
Location: Pete Hanna Center   
Time: 7 PM CT
Live Stats
Watch Live ESPN+
 

SERIES HISTORY

• Wofford
  • Samford and Wofford are meeting for the 25th time since the Bulldogs joined the SoCon in 2008. SU leads the all-time series 19-5 including a 3-0 mark during the spring season. The Bulldogs swept the Terriers 3-1, 3-0 during the regular season at the Pete Hanna Center before eliminating Wofford en route to the SoCon Tournament Championship 3-1
• The Citadel
  • The Bulldogs have dominated the series 19-2 since joining the SoCon in 2008. The Citadel snapped a six match losing streak to Samford on March 28, 2021 with a 3-2 victory. SU bounced back the next day to win 3-2.

BULLDOGS TO WATCH

• Lauren Deaton, a 5-11 senior outside hitter and the reigning SoCon Player of the Year, enters this weekend's matches with Wofford and The Citadel with 1,286 career kills in her Samford career. The school record is 1,639. She also has 3,683 total attempts and the school record is 4,107. The Memphis, Tenn., native, is averaging 12.4 kills per set including a season-high 24 versus UT-Martin. 
• The Bulldogs were an overwhelming favorite to repeat as SoCon champions in the annual Preseason Coaches Poll. Samford received six first place votes and 62 poll points to take the top spot followed by spring runner-up Mercer (3/58), Wofford (46), Western Carolina (41), ETSU (35), Furman (30), The Citadel (27), Chattanooga (17) and UNCG (8) rounding out the poll.
• Lauren Deaton and Kenya McQuirter were named to the Preseason All-SoCon Team after phenomenal spring seasons. Deaton, a 5-11 outside hitter, was named an AVCA All-American (HM), and Southern Conference Player of the Year after she ranked 13th in the nation in kills, averaging 4.49 per set. McQuirter, a 5-11 sophomore from Mobile, Ala., was named the SoCon Freshman of the Year after playing in 17 matches and rankings second on the team in kills with 177.
• Led by AVCA All-American Lauren Deaton, and All-SoCon selection Kenya McQuirter, the Bulldogs are averaging 12.2 kills per set so far this season.
• Samford has tallied 367 kills on 968 attempts through the first nine matches of the campaign.

OPPONENT QUICK LOOKS:

• Wofford enters this weekend's event with a 6-7 overall record after dropping 2-of-3 matches at the VaTech Hokie Invite and  3-2 decision to Furman to open SoCon play on Wednesday. The Terriers jump-started SoCon play on Wednesday, Sept. 22 with a win/loss at Furman.
• Meghan Yaffa, a junior outside hitter from Boca Raton, Fla., leads the Terriers with 135 kills on the season.
   

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).