JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Samford volleyball team earned a hard-fought, 3-2 (25-18, 21-25, 25-27, 25-23, 19-17) win at ETSU Friday evening at Brooks Gymnasium.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 12-13 overall and 7-6 in Southern Conference play. ETSU fell to 5-19 overall and 5-8 in league play.
 
For Samford in the win, Kaleigh Meritt had 27 kills and 10 digs. Gracie Lynn Butler had 15 kills and 14 digs. Kate Morgan had a team-high 19 digs, while Kayla Keshock tallied 37 assists.
 
ETSU was led by Amanda Lowe with 15 kills. Jenna Forster tallied 13 kills for the Bucs.
 
In the first set, Samford led the all the way. After ETSU closed to within three points at 21-18, Samford scored the final four points to take the 25-18 set win. In the second set, the Bulldogs fell to ETSU, 25-21, to knot the score at 1-1.
 
In the third set, it was tight throughout with ETSU winning in extra points, 27-25. Samford trailed, 21-19 in the fourth set, but the Bulldogs came back with a 6-2 run to take the set, 25-23 and force a fifth set. In the decisive set, the teams went into extra points again. A kill by Meritt gave Samford the 19-17 set win and the 3-2 match victory.
 
Samford will play at Western Carolina Saturday evening. The match is set for a 6 p.m. (CT) start from Cullowhee, N.C.
 
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