GAME NOTES (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford volleyball team will open play in the Southern Conference Tournament against The Citadel Friday at 9:30 a.m. (CT) at Richardson Indoor Stadium.
 
Samford enters the match with a record of 15-11 overall and 9-7 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs most recently played host to The Citadel, earning a 3-0 win last Saturday. The Citadel is currently 14-13 overall and 8-8 in SoCon play after Saturday's loss at Samford.
 
When the SoCon postseason awards were announced on Thursday, Samford's Gracie Lynn Butler was named first team All-SoCon. Butler ranks fourth in the Southern Conference in kills per set at 3.31. Kaleigh Meritt was named second team All-SoCon. Meritt currently sits in third in the SoCon in kills per set with an average of 3.55, contributing 344 kills.

Kate Morgan leads the team in digs with 400 on the season. She ranks ninth in the SoCon in digs per set, averaging 4.06 digs per set. Behind Morgan, Merritt has contributed 283 digs, while Ally Cordes has 252 digs.
 
Since joining the Southern Conference in 2008, Samford has a record of 27-9 in SoCon Tournament matches. Samford has won the SoCon Tournament seven times, winning the event in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 Spring and 2022. Five of Samford's seven SoCon Tournament titles have come under head coach Keylor Chan.
 
Samford and The Citadel have played 31 previous times, with Samford owning a 25-6 series lead. In both regular-season meetings this season, Samford won, 3-0.
 
Samford and The Citadel have met four previous times in the SoCon Tournament, with Samford holding a 3-1 lead. The teams met in last season's semifinals, with Samford earning a 3-0 victory.
 
The winner of Friday's match will advance to Saturday's semifinal round where they will take on the winner of the match between Mercer and either Western Carolina or UNC Greensboro at 3 p.m. (CT). The championship match is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. (CT).
 
Friday's match against The Citadel is set to start at 9:30 a.m. (CT) in Spartanburg, S.C. All SoCon Tournament matches can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will also be available. To follow the tournament, click on the following link: TOURNAMENT CENTRAL.
 
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