BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University volleyball team opened the 2024 regular season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mississippi State Friday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
The win was the first for Samford over an SEC opponent since defeating Alabama, 3-2, on Aug. 30, 2011.
 
"This was great," Samford head coach Keylor Chan said. "To come out and play the way we did, and I actually like that we struggled. We have to learn how to get out of being in tough spots, so I love the fact that we struggled, and we got better for it. Overall, just a great start in our first match here in 2024."
 
For Samford in the win, Kaleigh Merrit had 19 kills and 22 digs. Ally Cordes tallied 16 kills and 16 digs, while Gracie Lynn Butler finished with 14 kills and 13 digs and Greer Golden had 10 kills and six digs. Lexi Thatcher finished the match with 59 assists.
 
For Mississippi State, Kailin Newsome had 13 kills and 16 digs.
 
In the first set, Samford jumped out to an 8-4 lead on a kill by Meritt. Mississippi State came back to cut the lead to 8-7, but Samford answered with an 8-1 run to take a 16-8 lead on a block by Cordes. MSU cut the lead to four at 19-15, but the visiting Bulldogs could get no closer as Samford took the first set, 25-19.
 
Samford took an early 10-4 lead in the second set on a block assist by Kate Wonus and Meritt. MSU came back to cut the lead to two points at 14-12. With Samford leading, 22-20, the home Bulldogs scored three of the next five points to take the 25-22 set victory.
 
In the third set, after Samford fell behind, 8-7, the home Bulldogs went on a 6-0 run to take a 13-8 lead on an MSU attack error. Mississippi State, however, fought back to take a 15-14 lead. The lead went back and forth over the next several points until Mississippi State was able to separate for the 25-20 set win.
 
Mississippi State jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the fourth set. Samford fought back to tie the score at 9-9 on a kill by Butler. MSU took a 16-12 lead. Samford closed to within one point at 17-16 on a block assist by Wonus and Butler. After Mississippi State took a 20-16 lead, Samford fought back to knot the score at 21-21 on a kill by Butler. Mississippi State, however, took the fourth set, 25-23.
 
In the fifth and deciding set, Samford took a 7-5 lead on a service ace by Golden. After MSU tied the score at 8-8, Samford scored five-straight points to take a 13-8 lead. Samford pulled out the 15-9 win in the fifth set to win the match, 3-2.
 
Samford will remain at home to take on Alcorn State Saturday. The match is set for a 4 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.
 
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