BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 20-25) match against ETSU Saturday evening. This match was the Bulldogs annual Dig Orange match.
 
Samford is now 5-10 overall on the season and 0-4 in conference play. ETSU improved its record to 10-5 overall and continue league play at 4-0.
 
In the match, Samford was led in kills by Ally Cordes with 16 kills and 11 digs while Kaleigh Meritt and Sydney Waller followed with 14 kills. Ashley Evans and Greer Golden lead the match with five blocks.
 
ETSU was led by Makayla Bays with 15 kills and 47 attacks. Bailey Gohlke had 25 assists for the Buccaneers.

Bulldogs opened up strong in the first set, never getting behind the Buccaneers, with the Bulldogs largest set lead being 10-3. A kill by Sydney Waller cemented the Bulldogs a late lead, 24-17. An error from the Buccaneers gave the Bulldogs the set, 25-19.
 
After winning the first set, Bulldogs went on to drop the next three. Only losing the second and third set by two points, 23-25. In the fourth and final set Bulldogs and Buccaneers traded points up until the middle of the set before the Buccaneers took a 17-12 lead and eventually the set, 25-20 and the match 3-1.

Samford will continue conference play on the road at Western Carolina on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. and at Chattanooga on Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. Both matches are forecasted to be streamed on ESPN+.