BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University volleyball team earned a dominating 3-0 (25-11, 25-7, 25-9) victory over Alcorn State Saturday afternoon in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 2-0 on the young season. Alcorn State dropped its record to 0-2 with the loss.
 
Gracie Lynn Butler led Samford with seven kills in the win. Brianna Hamilton and Greer Golden added six kills each for the Bulldogs. Lexi Thatcher led the team in assists with 32 and in digs with eight.
 
For Alcorn State, Erin Mims had three kills. Harmoni Carsell contributed a team-high six digs.
 
Samford raced out to a 12-3 lead in the first set on a kill by Kaleigh Meritt. The Bulldogs led by as many as 15 points in the set and Samford took the set by a score of 25-11.
 
The Bulldogs took an early 10-2 lead in the second set on an Alcorn State attack error. Samford stretched its lead to 18-4 on a kill by Ashley Evans. The Bulldogs took the second set, 25-7.
 
In the third set the teams traded points early on until Samford was able to separate to take a 12-5 lead on an ASU attack error. Samford led by as many as 16 points and the Bulldogs won the third set, 25-9 to sweep the match.
 
Samford will next compete in the Evansville Invitational, taking on Miami of Ohio and Evansville on Friday, Sept. 6, and Chicago State on Saturday, Sept. 7.
 
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