BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford volleyball team earned a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-20) win Saturday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
With the win, Samford improved its record to 9-5 overall and 3-1 in Southern Conference play. ETSU fell to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in league play.
 
"It's hard to complain when you've won six sets in a row and won two matches in that fashion," Samford head coach Keylor Chan said. "I was really proud of the team because I thought that was a really good team win even though we won in three, it was a hard match. I was proud of how we defended and how we showed some toughness in some dicey moments."
 
Samford was led in the win by Ally Cordes with 12 kills and seven digs. Kaleigh Meritt had 11 kills and eight digs.
 
For ETSU, Makayla Bays had 11 kills and six digs.
 
In the first set, Samford jumped out to a 10-3 lead after a kill by Cordes. ETSU fought back to cut the lead to four points at 12-8. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 18-10 following a service ace by Meritt. ETSU went on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to just three at 20-17. Samford scored five of the next seven points to take the first set, 25-19.
 
Samford raced out to a 5-1 lead in the second set after an ETSU service error. After ETSU cut the lead to 5-3, Samford went on a 7-1 run to take a 12-4 lead. The Bucs cut the lead to one point at 19-18 and again at 20-19, but Samford closed the set on a 5-1 run to win the second set by a score of 25-20.
 
In the third set, ETSU jumped out to an early 4-1 lead. The Bucs built a 12-8 lead, but Samford went on an 8-3 run to take a 16-15 lead after a block solo by Cordes. Samford built a 22-18 lead after a service ace by Cordes. The Bulldogs took the third set, 25-20, and the match, 3-0.
 
Samford will remain at home to play host to the Mercer Bears on Thursday, Oct. 10. The match is set for a 6:30 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.
 
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 /SamfordVolleyball (Facebook), @SamfordVB (Instagram) and @SamfordVB (Twitter).