GAME NOTES--SAMFORD INVITATIONAL (PDF)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford volleyball team will open the 2025 season by hosting Georgia and Troy this weekend at the Pete Hanna Center. Samford will take on Georgia Friday at 6:30 p.m., Georgia and Troy will play Saturday at 4 p.m. and Samford will take on Troy Sunday at 2 p.m.
Samford returns 11 letterwinners from a team that posted a record of 15-12 overall and 9-7 in Southern Conference play last season. Samford was picked to finish second in the Southern Conference in the league's preseason poll.
Kaleigh Meritt was named preseason All-SoCon when the league released its preseason teams recently. Last season, Meritt led the team and ranked fourth in the SoCon in kills with 371. She was third in the league in kills per set, averaging a team-best 3.64 per set. She had double-digit kills in 22 different matches last season, including a career-high 27 kills against The Citadel in the SoCon Tournament.
Since has an all-time record of 20-18 in season-opening matches. Last season, Samford earned a 3-2 (25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 23-25, 15-9) win over Mississippi State in its season opener. Under head coach Keylor Chan, Samford is 6-3 in season openers.
Samford has an all-time record of 0-2 against Georgia. The teams last played in 2023, with Georgia earning a 3-0 win in Athens. The teams also played in 2011, with Georgia winning, 3-1.
Samford and Troy have played 33 previous times with the Trojans owning a 21-12 series lead. The teams last played in 2011, with Samford earning a 3-0 win in the Samford/UAB Classic in Birmingham.
Live stats will be available for all three matches, and the Samford matches can be seen live on ESPN+. For links to follow all of Samford's matches this season, click on the following link: 2025 SAMFORD VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford volleyball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordVolleyball (Facebook), @SamfordVB (Instagram) and @SamfordVB (Twitter).
