BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford Volleyball team picked up a 3-1 victory over Little Rock on Friday, improving to 1-3 on the season.
 
Gracie Lynn Butler (14) and Kenya McQuirter combined for 27 of the Bulldogs' 52 kills on the afternoon, with Butler also adding three block assists and six digs. Butler's 14 kills in the contest matched a career-high.
 
Kate Morgan led the Bulldogs with a season-high 16 digs while Kayla Keshock distributed a season-high 41 assists and game-high five service aces. Greer Golden led Samford with four block assists in addition to posting a career-high nine kills.
 
A 7-0 run in set one put the Bulldogs up 16-8, followed by a 9-4 run to claim set one 25-12. The Bulldogs posted a season-high .387 hitting percentage in the first set to help set the tone for the day.
 
After going up 13-11 in set two, the Bulldogs scored four unanswered to create separation between them and the Trojans. Little Rock would fight back to make it 17-13, but the Bulldogs held steady to outscore the Trojans 8-2 down the stretch and take the second set.
 
Set three featured alternating points until Little Rock would score three straight to take a 19-15 lead. Samford responded with four straight points and ultimately would see the score read 23-23 before Little Rock scored the final two points of set three.
 
In set four, the Bulldogs went up 12-9 before seeing their lead slip away courtesy of a 4-0 run by Little Rock. The turning point came with the score at 17-17 when the Bulldogs scored five straight points to go up 22-17. Keshock recorded the final three points of the run via service ace to give Samford enough momentum to close out the match and clinch set four 25-21.
 
As a team, the Bulldogs compiled a season-high .260 hitting percentage. The Bulldogs also logged a season-high 14 aces and 14 block assists for seven total blocks.
 
Samford Volleyball will return to the court on Saturday, Sept. 3 when they take on Jackson State in game two of the UAB Classic. First serve from Bartow Arena is set for 2:00 p.m. (CST).


 
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