EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Samford University volleyball team wrapped up play in the Dunn Hospitality Tournament with a 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-13) win over Chicago State Saturday afternoon at the Meeks Family Fieldhouse.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 5-0 on the young season, marking Samford's best start to a season since beginning the 2011 season at 8-0. Chicago State fell to 2-3 with the loss.
 
Samford was led in the win by Gracie Lynn Butler with 22 kills and 12 digs. Kaleigh Meritt had 13 kills and 16 digs. Kate Morgan led the team in digs with 19, while Lexi Thatcher had 49 assists.
 
For Chicago State, Patrycja Lagida led the way with 26 kills and 18 digs.
 
In the first set, Samford jumped out to an 11-8 lead on a kill by Butler. The Bulldogs pushed their lead out to five points at 19-14 on a kill by Meritt. Samford won the first set by a score of 25-19.
 
Chicago State started the second set strong, taking a 13-7 advantage. Samford fought back to tie the match at 13-13 on a CSU attack error. With the score tied at 23-23, CSU scored the final two points to take the second set, 25-23.
 
In the third set, Samford raced out to a 14-6 lead on a service ace by Thatcher. Chicago State fought back to cut the lead to one point at 21-20. With Samford leading, 22-21, the Bulldogs finished the set on a 3-0 run to take the third set, 25-21.
 
Samford started off with a 6-2 lead in the fourth set on block assists by Greer Golden and Ally Cordes. With Samford leading, 13-11, CSU scored four-straight points to take a 15-13 lead. Samford came back to tie the score at 18-18, but the Bulldogs were unable to take the lead as Samford fell in the fourth set, 25-22.
 
In the fifth and deciding set, Samford jumped out to 4-1 lead, but CSU fought back to tie the score at 5-5. With Samford leading, 7-5, Chicago State went on a 6-1 run to take an 11-8 advantage. The Bulldogs fought back to take a 13-11 lead on a block solo by Butler. With Samford leading, 14-13, a kill by Kate Wonus gave Samford the 15-13 set win and the 3-2 match victory.
 
Samford will next travel to Waco, Texas, to compete in the Baylor Invitational, Sept. 13 and Sept. 15, taking on LSU and Baylor.
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford volleyball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordVolleyball (Facebook), @SamfordVB (Instagram) and @SamfordVB (Twitter).