Box Score
Updated Stats

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University volleyball team came out strong against the Murray State Racers on Saturday by winning the first set, 25-21, but the final three stanzas proved to be a different story as the Bulldogs fell short 25-20, 25-21 and 25-19 in a 3-1 setback held at the Pete Hanna Center in the finale of the 2017 Courtyard by Marriott Invitational.
 
Samford (1-2) finished Saturday's game with a slightly better hitting percentage than Murray State (2-1), .161 to .160, but a season-high 19 service errors proved costly. Conversely, the Racers only committed eight.
 
With its win, Murray State claimed second place in the annual Courtyard by Marriott Invitational. Ohio finished undefeated at 3-0 to win the tournament title, while Samford finished third at 1-2 and Southeastern Louisiana came in fourth place.
 
Saturday's contest between Samford and Murray State proved to be a battle of 2016 NCAA Tournament participants. The Bulldogs claimed the championship title of the Southern Conference Tournament last season to reach the NCAA event, while Murray State won both the regular-season and tournament titles in the Ohio Valley Conference.
 
Samford's Krista Boesing, who was named to the all-tournament team of the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational on Saturday, paced the Bulldogs with 15 kills and 16 points against Murray State. She also finished with 12 digs.
 
Sophomore Kelsi Hobbs notched 11 kills and 12 digs in the matchup, while Shayla Phillip and Kendal Strand both added seven kills apiece.
 
Murray State's Becca Fernandez and Rachel Giustino were both named to the all-tournament team. Giustino posted an impressive 24 kills and 14 digs in the match.
 
The Samford University volleyball team will next be in action Sept. 1, as the Bulldogs begin play in the Loyola-Chicago Invite on the road in Chicago, Illinois, against the Milwaukee Panthers at 8 p.m. (CT).
 
For quick score updates, breaking news and links to all of your favorite articles featuring the Bulldogs, please follow @SamfordVB and @Samford_Sports on Twitter.
 
2017 Courtyard by Marriott Invitational
All-Tournament Team
 
Krista Boesing, Samford
Becca Fernandez, Murray State
Chloee Holden, Southeastern Louisiana
Vera Giacomazzi, Ohio - - - - - MVP
Rachel Giustino, Murray State
Tia Jimerson, Ohio
Lizzie Stephens, Ohio

Box Score
Updated Stats