CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Samford volleyball team picked up a 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-23) Southern Conference road win at The Citadel Friday evening at McAlister Fieldhouse.
 
With the win, Samford improved its season record to 12-5 overall and 6-1 in Southern Conference play, winning its last six matches in a row. The Citadel fell to 9-9 overall and 3-4 in league play.
 
In the win for Samford, Gracie Lynn Butler tallied 18 kills and 12 digs, while Ally Cordes had 10 kills for Samford. Kaleigh Meritt led the team in digs with 17, while Lexi Thatcher added 41 assists.
 
For The Citadel, Ali Ruffin tallied 12 kills and 23 digs.
 
In the first set, Samford jumped out to an early 5-2 lead after a kill by Meritt. The Citadel fought back to tie the score at 16-16. The Citadel took an 18-17 lead. With The Citadel leading, 20-19, Samford scored three-straight points to take a 22-20 lead after a kill by Kate Wonus. Samford took the first set, 25-22.
 
Samford raced out to a 9-3 lead in the second set following a Citadel attack error. Samford built its lead to eight points at 15-7 after a service ace by Amelia Johnston. Samford led by as many as 11 points down the stretch and took the second set by a score of 25-15.
 
In the third set, Samford took an early 6-3 lead after a kill by Cordes. The Citadel fought back to take a 16-14 lead. Samford came back and took a 20-19 lead after a kill by Meritt. The Citadel came back to take a 23-22 lead, but Samford scored the next three points to take the set, 25-23, and the match, 3-0.
 
Samford will play at UNC Greensboro on Saturday. The match is set for a 4 p.m. (CT) start from Greensboro, N.C.
 
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