BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford volleyball team dropped a 3-2 (25-13, 18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-17) decision Thursday night in The Pete Hanna Center. 
 
With the loss, Samford fell to 4-6 overall, this match was Samford's first of three in the Alabama Challenge.
 
Kaleigh Meritt, had 16 kills and 17 digs to lead Samford in the match. Shea Bruntmyer totaled 47 assists while Ally Cordes had 49 attacks. 
 
For South Alabama, Sarah Gooch had 15 kills and Brianna Wilson had 27 digs. 
 
In the first set, Samford took an early 15-8 lead after an ace by Amelia Johnston. South Alabama scored a total of 13 points in the set and couldn't catch up to the Bulldogs momentum. The Bulldogs took the set with a score of 25-13.
 
The Bulldogs opened the second set with a quick 2-0 lead but South Alabama quickly scored after which ended with the Jaguars taking the second set, 25-18. The Jaguars went on to win set three as well, 23-25. 
 
Samford jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the fourth set after an attack error by The Jaguars. The Bulldogs continued to battle and lead the match,18-13, with an ace by Emma Sorensen. 
The Jaguars tried to come back with the set being close at 23-19, but Samford won the match with a big kill by Merritt to take the fourth set, 25-21.
 
In the fifth and deciding set, Bulldogs and Jaguars traded points early. The Jaguars had a 12-8 lead before the Bulldogs battled back and with a kill from Cordes, the match score was 14-15 but with a couple of errors South Alabama eventually took the fifth set, 17-15 and the match, 3-2.
 
Samford will play Auburn next in The Alabama Challenge, hosted by The Bulldogs. The match is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.