BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jeila Fullerton led the Trojans with 11 kills but Little Rock allowed 14 service aces and hit into seven blocks in a 3-1 loss to Samford at the Blazer Invitational Friday afternoon at Bartow Arena in Birmingham.
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Little Rock (2-3) only hit .074 in the match and allowed 14 Samford points on the serve, including four Bulldog aces in the last 10 points of the match. The Bulldogs (1-3), hit .260 in the match and were led by Gracie Lynn Butler's 14 kills. Set scores were 25-12, 25-15, 23-25 and 25-21.
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Samford controlled the first two sets as Little Rock struggled offensively, hitting -.032 in the opening frame and improving that mark to only .087 in the second set.
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But the Trojans found a way to win a tight third set, opening the frame with a
Sophia Reynolds ace and using three aces and three blocks in the set to edge out the win, despite hitting .000. That frame featured 11 ties and four lead changes.
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The fourth set was just as close, with 10 ties and five lead changes. One lead change came as Little Rock, trailing 15-13 before a three-point run – capped off by a Fullerton ace – gave the Trojans a 16-15 lead. Samford responded to take a 19-17 lead to force a Little Rock timeout. But the break didn't help as the Bulldogs served up three straight aces out of the set as part of a 7-1 run to pull ahead, 24-18.
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Little Rock rallied off three straight points to cut the lead to 24-21 before the Bulldogs clinched the set and match.
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The Trojans will face host UAB in the final match of the Blazer Invitational on Saturday. First serve is set for 5 p.m. and live video of the match will be available on CUSA.tv.
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For the latest information on Little Rock Volleyball, make sure to check out
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Notables
- The series between Little Rock and Samford is now tied, 2-2.
- Jeila Fiullerton posted a season-high 11 kills, the first time she registered double-digit kills in a Little Rock uniform.
- Fullerton served up two aces in the match.
- Little Rock is now 1-1 in four-set matches this season.
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