GAME NOTES (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford volleyball team will open the 2026 season by visiting the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. in the Foster Auditorium. Then the Bulldogs will host UC Riverside this weekend at the Pete Hanna Center on Sunday August 30, at 1 p.m.

Samford returns six letterwinners from a team that posted a record of 13-15 overall and 8-8 in Southern Conference play last season. Samford is picked to finish sixth in the 2026 Southern Conference preseason poll.

Ally Cordes was named preseason All-SoCon when the league released its preseason polls recently. Last season, Cordes was second on the team and ranked fourth in the SoCon in kills with 370. She had a career-high 22 kills against Mercer on October 10, 2025.

Samford has an all-time record of 20-19 in season-opening matches. Last season, Samford suffered a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-20) loss to Georgia in its season opener. Under head coach Keylor Chan, Samford is 6-4 in season openers.

Samford and Alabama will be meeting for the 23rd time, with Alabama currently holding a 22-1 series lead. The last meeting between the two was in 2018, Alabama winning 3-2 in Tuscaloosa. Samford's only win in the series was at home in 2011, winning 3-2.

The home opener on Sunday August 30 will be the first meeting between Samford and UC Riverside in both program's history.

Live stats will be available for both matches and they can also be seen live on ESPN+. For links to follow all of Samford's matches this season, click on the following link: 2026 SAMFORD VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE.
 
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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).