BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University volleyball team earned a 3-1 (25-17, 25-15, 13-25, 25-13) win at UAB in the final match of the Alabama Showdown Saturday evening at Bartow Arena.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 6-4 on the season, breaking a four-match losing streak. UAB fell to 5-6 with the loss.
 
"What I really enjoyed was how our team showed some resiliency this weekend and in the last four matches and how we were able to put it together tonight," Samford head coach Keylor Chan said. "A lot of times you can put your head down and feel sorry for yourself. I think our group understands that there is a lot of work to be done and they put it in and tonight we got a positive result."
 
Samford was led in the win by Ally Cordes with 13 kills. Gracie Lynn Butler had 11 kills and 10 digs for the Bulldogs. Kate Morgan had a team-high 17 digs, while Lexi Thatcher tallied 40 assists.
 
For UAB, Kelsey Smith had 10 kills and seven digs. Delaney Bowser tallied a team-high 13 digs for the Blazers.
 
Samford got off to a fast start in the first set, grabbing an early 6-1 lead on a kill by Cordes. With Samford leading, 14-8, UAB scored the next four points to cut the lead to two at 14-12. UAB, however, could get no closer in the set and Samford took the first set by a score of 25-17.
 
The Bulldogs also started with a 6-1 lead in the second set. Samford built its lead to 12-4 on a service ace by Cordes. Samford maintained its lead throughout the set, taking the 25-15 set victory.
 
In the third set, UAB jumped out to a 6-3 advantage. The Blazers led by as many as 12 points in the set, and they won the third set, 25-13 to cut Samford's match lead to 2-1.
 
Samford took an early 12-6 lead in the fourth set. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 10 points at 17-7 on a service ace by Cordes. The Bulldogs led by as many as 13 points in the set and Samford took the fourth set, 25-13, and the match, 3-1.
 
Samford will open Southern Conference play by playing at Wofford on Friday, Sept. 27. The match is set for a 5 p.m. (CT) start from Spartanburg, S.C.
 
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