Samford senior outside hitter Ally Cordes has been named preseason All-SoCon, while the Bulldogs are slated to finish sixth in the Southern Conference's coaches' preseason poll. Cordes was a standout last season, ranking fifth in the SoCon with 370 kills, including a career-high of 22 against Mercer. ETSU leads the poll, followed by Wofford and Furman, with Samford earning 46 points. The Bulldogs will begin their season against Alabama on August 28 after hosting exhibition matches this weekend.

By the Numbers
  • Ally Cordes achieved 370 kills last season, ranking fifth in the SoCon.
  • Samford earned 46 points in the preseason poll, placing sixth among ten teams.
State of Play
  • ETSU received 77 points and five first-place votes, leading the preseason poll.
  • The Bulldogs will play two exhibition matches before starting their regular season.
What's Next

Expect Samford to focus on their exhibition performances against Kennesaw State and Montevallo as they prepare for their season opener against Alabama. The team's response to these matches could impact team dynamics and morale heading into the official season.

Bottom Line

Ally Cordes' recognition as preseason All-SoCon highlights her importance to the Bulldogs' attacking strategy, while the team's sixth-place projection reflects the competitive landscape of the conference. Success in upcoming matches could shift expectations for Samford this season.