GULF SHORES — The Murphy Panthers won their fifth tournament and their 47th match of the year Saturday in the Gulf Shores Dolphin Shrimp Fest tournament.

Murphy defeated tournament host Gulf Shores in the Gold Division championship 25-16, 25-22. Both teams remained undefeated through the 24-team, seven-match marathon until the final.

Daphne took second in the Silver division with a 25-15, 25-19 loss to Jacksonville High while Foley won the Bronze division title with a 25-20, 25-15 win over Jeff Davis. Spanish Fort was third in the Silver bracket.

GSHS coach Wing Brett was disappointed in the final score, but pleased with the effort of his team, ranked No. 5 in 5A, against Murphy's 6A No. 5 team.

"I'm extremely proud of the way we played," he said. "Murphy is a very good team. They kept us out of system. But it was a good tournament for us. We fought back hard in game two, actually had a chance and that's what you want. You want your kids to continue to play hard. That's important to instill in them the idea that just because things aren't going your way doesn't mean they won't change on the next point. Of course, you don't like to lose, but they worked hard."

Brett was glad to get his senior libero and daughter Emily Brett back on the court recently after a knee injury which has kept her sidelined all season. "It's great to have her back. Emily provides a spark as well as great ball control. You're getting experience, knowledge and you're getting someone who can execute skill-wise defensively."

Murphy coach and former Fairhope standout Nancy Shoquist said her 47-3 team has been steadily improving all year.

"We have been playing better and better. This team has really come together this year," she said. "We played great competition this weekend and I think this is a great time for this tournament, I mean right before area. It helps you get stronger and helps us get ready. I just tell the kids to work together and play scrappy on defense. Even when we do get down, they just seem to dig deep and pull us back up."

GSHS defeated St. James in the quarterfinals and Madison County in the semis. Murphy topped Montgomery Academy, then had their toughest match, a three-set win against Faith Academy in the semis.

The Dolphins (33-13 overall) were led in tournament totals by Virginia Jones with 34 kills and Erin Brett with 100 assists.