BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford Volleyball team will play a trio of matches this weekend at the Gamecock Classic, hosted by Jacksonville State University.
 
The Bulldogs will take on South Dakota Sate on Friday, Sept. 9 and play Nicholls State and Jacksonville State on Saturday, Sept. 10. Samford's 6:00 p.m. contest with Jacksonville State will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
The Bulldogs fell 3-0 at Kennesaw State their last time out on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Samford posted a perfect 3-0 record in the UAB Open last weekend, with a pair of 3-1 victories over UAB and Little Rock and a 3-0 sweep of Jackson State.
 
Senior outside hitter Lauren Deaton shined bright in the Bulldogs' 3-1 win over UAB, finishing with 20 kills and 13 digs while hitting .348. The Memphis, Tenn. native earned SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors after finishing the weekend with an average of 3.55 kills per set.
 
Three different Bulldogs currently serve as statical leaders in the SoCon. Deaton ranks first in kills per set at 3.65, junior setter Kayla Keshock leads the league in assists per set at 10, and junior defensive specialist Andie Salasky paces the conference in service aces per set at 0.61.
 
South Dakota State comes in with a record of 4-2. The Jackrabbits have won two of their last three games, including a 3-2 victory over Chicago State their last time out on Sept. 6.
 
Nicholls State brings with them a 3-3 record into the weekend. The Colonels will look to get back on track after dropping their last two contests 3-0 to Southern Illinois and 3-1 to UC San Diego last weekend in the 2022 Colonel Classic.
 
Jacksonville State boasts a perfect 6-0 record in 2022. Notable Gamecock victories include a 3-0 win at Indiana on Aug. 27 and a 3-2 triumph at Clemson on Sept. 2.
 
Friday will serve as the first meeting between Samford and South Dakota State. The Bulldogs hold a series record of 1-1 against Nicholls State and 9-15 against Jacksonville State.
 
The Bulldogs most recently knocked off Jacksonville State 3-0 in the 2019 season and have won their last three contests against the Gamecocks.
 
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