Volleyball Tames Lions in Sunday Thriller, 3-1

Sunday, September 3

Birmingham, AL

2:00 PM

Samford University

3-2,0-0SoCon

North Alabama

2-3,0-0ASUN

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
North Ala.	25	26	24	23	1
Samford	20	28	26	25	3

9.3.23 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford Volleyball team knocked off the Lions of North Alabama 3-1 in a thrilling four-set bout on Sunday.

With the win, Samford improves to 3-2 overall while North Alabama falls to 2-3.

Gracie Lynn Butler led a trio of Bulldogs that logged double-digit kills with 18. The junior outside hitter posted her first double-double of the season, adding 10 digs. Kaleigh Meritt totaled 16 kills while Kayla Keshock finished with 11.

Freshman Lexi Thatcher turned in an all-world performance, compiling 44 assists and 18 digs for her first collegiate double-double. Kate Morgan (13) and Annabelle Straty (11) both registered double-digit digs.

Kate Wonus recorded a team-high five block assists while Greer Golden and Butler both notched four each.

With the score reading 9-9 in set one, the Bulldogs scored five of the next six points to take a 14-10 lead. UNA responded with six unanswered points, however, to go up 16-14. A kill by Meritt cut Samford's deficit to 19-17, but the Lions pulled away by scoring four of the next five points to claim stake to a 23-18 lead before eventually taking the set 25-20.

The Bulldogs evened the match in a thrilling second set that saw the two teams battle to a 16-16 score. From there, Samford scored four of the next five points to go up 20-17. A fight down the stretch saw the score read 25-all, with UNA backing to Bulldogs into a corner by taking a 26-25 lead. Samford responded with three unanswered points to take the set, with a Butler Ace clinching it.

Samford trailed by as many as eight in set three but used the momentum of a 7-0 run to take the lead 18-17. The Bulldogs and Lions traded points, resulting in a 24-24 score. A kill by Butler and an ace from Keyshock secured the final two points for the Bulldogs to take set three.

The Bulldogs gained early momentum in set four by taking a 9-3 lead on the back of a 4-0 scoring run and added a 3-0 run later to go up 13-7. The Lions fought their way back by scoring six out of seven points to get within one at 15-14. UNA later tied the score at 19, but the Bulldogs tallied three-straight points to go up 22-19. After a Bulldog service error tied the score at 23, kills by Keshock and Butler sealed the match for Samford.

The Bulldogs will be back in action at home on Monday, Sept. 4 to host the Florida State Seminoles. Match time from the Pete Hanna Center is set for 2:00 p.m. (CST).

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford Volleyball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com.
Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at @SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordVB (Instagram),and @SamfordVB (Twitter).