TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Samford University volleyball team fell to the VCU Rams in the opening match of the Four Points Tallahassee Seminole Volleyball Invite, Thursday, by a score of 3-0.

BOX SCORE (PDF)

HOW IT HAPPENED
 
In the tight first set, neither squad was able to build a lead as the Rams held a slim one-point margin at the media timeout (15-14). Out of the media break, VCU was able to open a four-point advantage, 19-15, forcing the Bulldogs to call their first timeout. Samford looked to regroup following a second quick timeout from head coach Keylor Chan, as Kenya McQuirter had a pair of kills that brought the Dogs within five, but VCU closed out the set 25-19.
 
McQuirter continued her strong hitting streak with two quick kills in the second set, but the Rams offense continued to build a lead on a 4-0 scoring run that forced Samford into an early timeout (9-4). VCU led by as many as 10 (24-14) but the Bulldogs looked to make a late run with a pair of kills from McQuirter and an ace from Emily Naubert. The Dogs were unable to complete the comeback with the Rams taking the second set 25-17.
 
Early in the third set, the Bulldogs looked to take control behind kills from senior Briana Holmes and McQuirter (4-2); however, the Rams quickly fought back, tying the match at 4-4. A subsequent 4-0 scoring run from VCU prompted a Bulldog timeout (10-5). The Bulldogs made a run behind a balanced offensive push with kills from McQuirter and Kate Wonus, as well as a block from Holmes and another service ace from Naubert, forcing a VCU timeout. The Rams went on a run of their own drawing within three points of the match, but the Bulldogs fought back behind a five-point burst, drawing within two points of VCU, 22-20. Despite the strong effort from the Bulldogs, the Rams closed out the match 25-23.
 
FROM THE BOX SCORE

• McQuirter finished the match with 14 kills and a .393 hitting percentage, her second match of the season with double-digits in the kill column.
• Holmes, in her first action of the season, had five kills on seven swings for a .571 hitting percentage.
• For the Rams, four players finished with nine kills to lead the offense as the team tallied 41 assists on the day.

UP NEXT

• The Bulldogs will be back at Tully Gym tomorrow for the conclusion of the Four Points Tallahassee Seminole Volleyball Tournament as the Dogs face Florida State at 10 AM CT and the Green Wave of Tulane at 3 PM CT.

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