BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  We kick off a new year of Inside Athletics, Presented by Alabama Power, with the 2022 volleyball season preview. Jon McAfoos, Assistant AD for Marketing, Strategic Communications and Broadcast Services, recently sat down with Head Coach Keylor Chan to talk about his team's upcoming season.
 
"Overall, we're in a good space right now," Coach Chan said. "We're healthy, we're competing, and we're getting better every day which is really fun to see with this group."

Chan, who is entering his seventh season at the helm of Samford Volleyball, has posted a record of 103-75. The Longwood, Fla. native has led the Bulldogs to six SoCon Championships, with four SoCon Tournament titles and a pair of regular-season championships.
 
Seniors Lauren Deaton, Sarah Hayes Farley, Emily Naubert, and Andie Salasky will look to lead the Bulldogs back to the NCAA Tournament by capturing their fourth SoCon Championship since 2018.
 
"You're really only going to go as far as your seniors take you," Chan said. "They are the ones that are in charge of carrying your culture, legacy, and traditions forward. So far, this group has been fantastic with their leadership and understanding what we want to get across and how we're going to go about doing our business."  
 
Deaton and Kenya McQuirter, who were both named 2022 Preseason All-SoCon selections, headline the Bulldog's outside hitters. Farley and Gracie Lynn Butler will also compete for significant playing time at the position.
 
"Gracie Lynn is emerging, and Sarah Hayes will also be out there competing," Chan said. "She's been able to flip between both the left and right side, depending on what we need.  We're very deep this year, so we're excited about the possibilities that we have before us."
 
Kate Wonus, a selection to the 2021 SoCon All-Freshman squad, comes in as one of team's top threats at middle blocker. Kaya Hood and freshman Greer Golden also look make an impact in the middle for Samford.
 
"Kaya has battled through some injuries and is healthy and training for the first time in a while," Chan said. "She's a very tall girl who has the potential to do some real special things. We also have a local girl in Greer. We're so thrilled that she decided to come here and give it a shot. She's really ascended high in our program." 
 
Junior Kayla Keshock returns as the Bulldogs' starting setter, with freshman Samantha Horn competing for time at the position and developing under Keshock's tutelage.
 
At libero, Kate Morgan, Naubert, and Salasky make up for a strong and deep defensive core. Audrey O'Brien and Lilly Smith also provide depth at the position.
 
"Kate right now is the starting libero and she's earned that," Chan said. "Andie and Emily are fighting hard, and you need that competition in your gym driving that flywheel for improvement. When everyone is competing at a high level and everyone on any night can be as good as you, it makes everyone get better."
 
 In addition to Golden and Horn, Amelia Johnston, Kaleigh Meritt, and Sophia Plasman make up the 2022 freshman class.
 
"(Our freshmen) are great athletes that have to learn how to play volleyball on the college level," Chan said. "They have had great training in high school and in club. We want them to look at this as a great opportunity to learn from some very experienced and veteran players and take all the notes that they can. There's a possibility some of them work their way on the court, but there's a lot of improvement they have to do. We're excited about their future for sure."
 
The Bulldogs' nonconference schedule is highlighted by matches against power-five opponents LSU and Clemson, in addition to local foes UAB, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and Jackson State. Opening weekend opponents (RV)Rice and Houston both notched 20 wins last season.
 
"We want to challenge ourselves and we want people to able to poke holes in what we do," Chan said. "Sometimes, you think you're good at something and you're getting in your own way because you don't see it every day. So, we want to play teams that can push us and that have the potential to beat us by having different strengths and weaknesses."
 
Southern Conference play kicks off Sept. 23, when the Bulldogs travel to take on Western Carolina. Samford was tabbed second in the 2022 preseason coaches' poll, finishing just one point behind preseason favorite Wofford.
 
"Wofford and Samford returned quite a bit and everyone else turned over a lot of their roster," Chan said. "The rest of the league is to be determined. The wise thing is to focus on us and when Ben (Sabin) scouts them and we get a chance to see them we'll  put what we need to in place."
 
The Bulldogs open 2022 on Friday, Aug. 26 at LSU at 10:00 a.m., followed by a 5:00 p.m. tilt with Rice later that day and a Saturday, Aug. 27 contest with Rice to close out opening weekend in Baton Rouge, La.
 


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