AUBURN, Ala. – The Samford University volleyball team was started off the 2015 season and suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Jacksonville University on the first day of the War Eagle Invitational at Auburn Arena on Friday, Aug. 28^th.

Samford (0-1) scored the first point of the 2015 season on a kill down the line from junior right side Gabbi Greenwald. The team wouldn't see the lead again until late in the set when the Bulldogs took it 19-18 on an attack error by Jacksonville (1-0) outside hitter Lauren Gresham. However, from there SU rallied to take the first set of the season 25-21.

Jacksonville rebounded and commanded the second set from start to finish with a little help from Samford along the way. JU seemingly secured the set with a 13-4 run to give itself a 19-9 advantage late and eventually win 25-15.

The Bulldogs looked to rebound in the third set of the match and used a 10-2 rally to take an 18-14 lead late in the set behind the serving of Greenwald. Jacksonville however turned right around with a 9-1 run to take the set 25-21 and the lead in the match 2-1.

The Dolphins swam away with the match in the fourth set with 13 team kills on 24 attacks (.458) with only two errors. Ana Nieto-Gomez was the most efficient attacker for JU as she tallied 10 kills on just 15 attacks (.533) with only two errors.

Offensively it was senior Emily Meitz who was the most efficient Bulldog on the court. Meitz tallied nine kills on 20 attacks for a .250 hitting percentage. Freshman Krista Boesing led the team with 10 kills on the night.

Samford continues action in the War Eagle Invitational against reigning Southland Conference champion Stephen F. Austin at 9:30 a.m. before ending the invitational at 7:30 p.m. against Auburn on the SEC Network +.