BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford Volleyball team picked up its third-straight victory and improved to 3-3 on the season with a 3-1 win at UAB on Sunday.
Outside hitters Lauren Deaton and Gracie Lynn Butler both logged a double-double, with Deaton recording season-highs with 20 kills and 13 digs. Butler compiled 11 kills to go along with a career-best 13 digs.
Kenya McQuirter smashed a season-high 15 kills while Kate Morgan matched a career-high with 27 digs. Kayla Keshock distributed a season-high 42 assists while Kate Wonus added a team-high three block assists.
The Bulldogs came out swinging in set one, posting a .448 hitting percentage. After taking a 9-5 lead, Samford scored four of the next five points to go up 13-6. The Bulldogs blew the set open with five-consecutive points that resulted in a 20-10 lead and enough breathing room to claim a 25-15 first set.
Set two saw the Bulldogs jump out to a 13-9 lead. After going up 19-14, Samford would see its lead slip away after an 8-0 scoring run by the Blazers. The Bulldogs fought back to tie the score at 25-all but UAB would go on to tally the set's final two points.
The Bulldogs came back in full force in the third set by jumping out to a 14-7 lead. UAB battled its way back with six-straight points, but Samford would stifle the rally with a quick 3-0 run to go up 17-13. The Bulldogs turned the tide by claiming three big points in a row to go up 23-18 and eventually take the set 25-19.
The Bulldogs worked their way to a 14-11 lead in set four but would concede the next five points to UAB to fall behind 16-14. After falling behind 23-21, The Bulldogs answered by scoring the game's final four points to seal the victory.
Samford set season highs in kills (55), assists (49), and digs (76) on the day. The Bulldogs totaled double-digit service aces for the second time this season, finishing the match with 11.
The Bulldogs face a quick turnaround, as they return to the court on Tuesday, Sept. 6 for a 5:30 p.m. (CST) road contest at Kennesaw State.
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