BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 3, 2023) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team dropped a four-set bout to host Samford University by score of 3-1 on Sunday, rounding out a weekend of volleyball at the Samford Invitational.
The Lions (2-3) won the first set, 25-20, but the Bulldogs (3-2) made them work as UNA was down by as many as four early in the opener. North Alabama responded with six straight points to take the lead and would see out the rest of the set.
Set two was a back-and-forth affair as neither team had a lead larger than three points. Samford had the first opportunity for set point, but a service ace from outside hitter Katy Floyd tied things at 24, requiring both teams to win by two to take the set.
The Lions pounced on the Bulldogs with two straight points to have their chance at taking the set, but three straight points from the hosts would be enough to give them a 28-26 win in the second set.
It was all UNA to start the third set as the Lions were able to build a lead to as high as eight. The Bulldogs went on a major run, scoring eight unanswered to gain the upper hand, but the Lions again were able to force a win-by-two situation for the second set in a row. Unfortunately, UNA was unable to capitalize, dropping the third set, 26-24.
Samford took the early advantage in set four, leading North Alabama by as many six halfway in. A run of four points built momentum for the Lions, en route to tying the score, but the Bulldogs responded with a run of points of their own.
UNA went on to tie the match three more times, including coming within two points of seizing set four. Two kills from Samford ended UNA's comeback attempt with the hosts taking the set, 25-23, and the match, 3-1.
Junior outside hitter Brenna Tietz led all Lions in attack with 11 kills, junior libero Luana Bulara led in digs with 20, senior setter Kennedey Johnson paced in the assist category with 22, and graduate middle blocker Anna Katherine Griggs tallied the most blocks for the Lions with five.
It will be a busy upcoming week for North Alabama Volleyball, as the Lions will have four matches over the course of five days.
The first match comes in a nonconference single game bout with Alabama State on Tuesday, Sept. 5, in Montgomery, Alabama. At the end of the week, UNA will travel to Washington D.C. for the DC Showdown, where they will face George Washington, Georgetown and Old Dominion from Sept. 8-9.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
