BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford volleyball team defeated UNCG in a tight five set match with a score of 3-2 (17-25, 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 17-15) Friday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.
With the win, Samford improves to 9-12 overall and 4-6 in Southern Conference play. UNCG's record is now 12-8 overall and 5-4 in league action.
Samford was led in the win by
Kaleigh Meritt with 20 kills and 18 digs. Aly Cordes had 19 kills and 10 digs for the Bulldogs while
Sydney Waller also joined the double number of kills party with 11.
For UNCG, Allie Sweet had a career high 32 kills and 16 digs.
In the first set, the Bulldogs and Spartans traded points up until the middle of the set when the Spartans took an 11-6 lead. Bulldogs attempted to comeback from the deficit, but the Spartans took set one on a kill from Sweet, 25-17.
The beginning of the second set opened with an early lead from the Bulldogs which was sparked by Cordes with a service ace, 9-4. With an assist from
Tatelyn Brandsma, Cordes scored set point for the Bulldogs and Meritt followed with the set point, giving the Bulldogs set two, 25-21.
Set three started with a 4-0 run from the Bulldogs, with 2 of those points being kills from Meritt. Spartans could not stop the Bulldogs momentum with the biggest lead being 20-14.
Greer Golden and Cordes gave the Bulldogs the set with a block 25-20.
UNCG won the fourth set 25-23 which pushed the match into the fifth set. Bulldogs and Spartans went for point for point up until the Spartans took a late 14-10 lead.
Amelia Johnston's service ace and a kill from Cordes spoiled what UNCG thought was a win. Bulldogs battled back from being down to win the set, 17-15 and the match, 25-23.
Samford will continue conference play on the road next weekend against ETSU and Wofford.
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