Samford 1, Alabama 3 Foster Auditorium, Tuscaloosa, AL. August 28, 2026 Alabama volleyball opened its 2026 season with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Samford at Foster Auditorium, needing all four sets to close out a Bulldogs squad that refused to go quietly. The first set was tight throughout. Samford grabbed an early 3-2 edge before Alabama took the lead back and never relinquished it, closing out the frame 25-23 behind 12 kills assisted largely by junior setter Hannah Parant. "We were relentless tonight," head coach Rashinda Reed said afterward. Samford came out with more fight in the second set, building a 6-3 cushion, but Alabama again clawed back in front, eventually pulling away for a 25-20 win to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Samford finally broke through in the third, jumping out to a 17-12 advantage. A kill from junior middle blocker Addison Engel pulled Alabama within striking distance at 20-20, but the Bulldogs held on to take the set 25-22, keeping their hopes alive. "It wa...