NASHVILLE, TENN. --- The Alabama A&M volleyball team fell to Tennessee State University 3-0 on Tuesday Afternoon. The Lady Bulldogs struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the first two sets falling 25-8 and 25-12, but they challenged the Tigers in the third set before falling 25-20.

"Our team is young, but we have to do a better job of closing it out sooner rather than later," Head Coach Rose Powell said.

AAMU (1-12) was led by Senior Ashundria McNeal who registered 11 kills, nine digs, and three block assists. Freshman Terra Brooks added four kills to go along with two service aces and two block assists. Junior Riley Balsmeyer contributed 16 assists.

In the first set, the score was tied 3-3 when the Tigers went on a 13-3 run for a 16-6 lead. AAMU would score two more on a kill by Junior Courtney Oliver and an error by TSU, but it wasn't enough as TSU scored four unanswered points to close out the set.

In the second set, the Lady Bulldogs struggled offensively as the Tigers powered out to a 10-0 lead. A&M was able to get on the board with a kill from Freshman Jaelin Gant. Down 16-4, AAMU went on a 9-3 run, but TSU then scored five straight points to end the set 25-12.

Down 2-0 in sets, the Lady Bulldogs continued to battle in the third set as they led for the majority of the set with a .216 hitting percentage. The final set consisted of five ties and five lead changes. The Lady Bulldogs were leading 20-19 before the Tigers tied it at 20. TSU then took advantage of a few A&M errors and executed a 5-0 run to take the set.

The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action Friday in Baton Rouge, LA for their first SouthWestern Athletic Conference match of the season against Southern University at 2 p.m.