SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Samford volleyball team battled back from a 2-0 deficit but eventually fell to The Citadel, 3-2 (16-25, 25-27, 25-17, 25-21, 20-22) in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Tournament Friday morning at Richardson Indoor Stadium.
 
With the loss, Samford ended its season with a record of 15-12. The Citadel improved its season record to 15-13, and The Citadel advances to the semifinals to take on the winner of the Mercer vs. UNC Greensboro match Saturday.
 
As a team, Samford set a school record with 161 digs in the match. For Samford individually, the Bulldogs were led by Kaleigh Meritt with 27 kills, which tied her career high, and a career-high 35 digs. Gracie Lynn Butler had 20 kills and a career-high 29 digs. Kate Morgan had a career-high 43 digs, while Lexi Thatcher had 59 assists.
 
For The Citadel, Ali Ruffin had 18 kills and 30 digs. Sophie Childs had 14 kills, while Mackenzie Martin tallied 11 kills for The Citadel.
 
In the first set, The Citadel jumped out to a 12-5 lead. The Citadel built its lead to nine points at 18-9. Samford came back to cut the lead to four at 19-15 after a kill by Butler. Samford, however, could get no closer as The Citadel took the first set, 25-16.
 
The Citadel took a 12-8 lead in the second set. The Citadel built its lead to five points at 15-10. Samford, however, went on a 7-2 run to knot the score at 17-17 after a service ace by Ally Cordes. Samford built a 21-19 lead off a kill by Meritt. The teams went into extra points and The Citadel took the set, 27-25.
 
In the third set, Samford built a 13-6 lead on a kill by Butler. Samford pushed its lead out to 19-10. The Citadel scored the next four points to cut the lead to five points at 19-14. The Citadel, however, could get no closer in the set as Samford won the third set, 25-17.
 
Samford jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the fourth set after a kill by Ashley Evans. The Citadel closed to within two points at 10-8. Samford, however, pushed its lead to 15-9 following a kill by Meritt. Samford maintained its lead throughout the set, taking the fourth set, 25-21, and forcing a fifth and deciding set.
 
The Citadel started hot in the fifth set, taking an early 4-1 lead. With The Citadel leading, 9-7, Samford went on a 5-0 run to take a 12-9 lead following a kill by Meritt. With Samford leading, 14-12, The Citadel scored the next three points to take a 15-14 lead. The teams traded the next several points until The Citadel was able to take the 22-20 set win and the 3-2 match victory.
 
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