Led by sophomores Jordyn Vaughn and Brooke White who combined for 86 kills in the tournament, Sam Houston ended play at the Rice Adidas Volleyball Invitational with a three-set victory over Louisiana-Lafayette and a five-set loss to the host Owls Saturday.

Vaughn, who totaled 45 kills and five aces in the Bearkats' three matches which included a three-set loss to Colorado Friday, was named to the All-Tournament team. White added 41 kills.

Sam Houston, now 5-5 for the season, opened Saturday by coming from a two sets to none deficit to fall 15-11 in the fifth against Rice. The Owls took the match 27-25 25-16 21-25 22-25 15-11. In the nightcap Saturday, the Bearkats blanked the Ragin' Cajuns 25-20 25-22 25-18.

Vaughn and White led the offense in both matches. Vaughn totaled 22 kills against the Owls and 18 against Louisiana-Lafayette. White added 15 versus Rice and led the team with 19 kills in the win over the Ragin' Cajuns.

Setter Michelle Griffith assisted on 60 kills in the first match and 42 in the victory Saturday evening. Griffith also produced double figure digs with 16 against Rice. Libero Claire Kilpatrick led the Sam Houston defense with 21 digs in the Rice match and 15 against UL-Lafayette. Outside hitter Breanna Homer also had 15 digs in the nightcap.

The Rice match was close throughout, with 29 times and 11 lead changes throughout the five sets. Sam Houston led the first set 23-21 after a kill by Shelby Genung. The Owls fought back for a 24-24 tie and had set points at 25-24 and 26-25 before taking the first stanza.

Sam Houston trailed 12-10 midway through the second set when Rice went on an 8-1 run to surge ahead. But the Kats bounced back to lead most of the third set. Up 23-21, the Kats took the third after kills by White and Genung. After evening the match with a fourth set victory, Sam Houston trailed by one 11-10 after another kill by White. But the Owls closed out the victory by winning four of the next five points.

In the victory over Louisiana-Lafayette, Sam Houston totaled 49 kills to the Ragin' Cajuns 29. The Bearkats trailed three times in the first set, only once in the second and lead the third from wire to wire.

Joining Vaughn on the all-tournament team were Leah Mikesky, Madison McDaniel and Chelsey Harris from Rice, Alexis Austin and Gabby Simpson from Colorado and Stacey Reilly from Louisiana-Lafayette.

Sam Houston returns home to play host to Texas State in a 6:30 p.m. match at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Tuesday night.

It's “Grow The Growl” night at Johnson with special prizes to be given away to the 200 craziest fans attending. The Grow the Growl give away is being sponsored by SHSU Greek Life. Students that attend all four games this fall will be eligible for a $2,500 scholarship from the College of Criminal Justice.

Tuesday also is $1 concessions night at the Coliseum. Popcorn, candy, pizza and Pepsi will all be $1 each.

Also Tuesday is CMT Awareness night. Those that attend can donate to the CMTA and receive a CMT Awareness bracelet and be entered into a drawing for a volleyball autographed by the Bearkat volleyball team. There will also be free t-shirts and a special presentation at intermission.