KENNESAW, Ga.– The Sam Houston volleyball team secured a 3-1 victory against Kennesaw State at the KSU Convocation Center on Friday night. 

The Bearkats (11-9, 6-3 CUSA) rallied after an early deficit to win three straight sets, finishing with scores of 18-25, 25-17, 25-23 and 25-23. This win was significant as Sam Houston sits just ahead of Kennesaw State in the Conference USA standings. 

The Owls capitalized on Bearkat errors to take the first set 25-18, with Sam Houston committing 11 total errors in the opening frame. 

The Bearkats bounced back in the second set, tying the match with a 25-17 victory. Abby Clayton and McKenzie Morvant combined for eight of the team's 12 kills in that set. 

In the third set, Sam Houston narrowly escaped with a 25-23 win, aided by a crucial service error from the Owls. The Bearkats held a 23-19 lead, but Kennesaw State made a late push before falling short. 

Sam Houston closed out the match in the fourth set, winning 25-23 to avoid a fifth set. Avery Fowler delivered a pivotal ace late in the game, marking her 25th ace of the season. 

Morvant led the Bearkats with 16 kills, while Clayton and Alyssa Fielder contributed nine kills each. Fowler continued to impress, finishing the night with 31 assists, 12 digs, two kills and three blocks. Sameena Burns recorded a career-high seven kills with a hitting percentage of .389. 

The Bearkats will finish the weekend series Saturday at 1 p.m. The match will be aired on ESPN+.