DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Alabama A&M (3-16, 3-4 SWAC) fell by a 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 28-26) decision to Bethune-Cookman (4-15, 4-4 SWAC) in an NCAA Division I women's volleyball match on Sunday, October 17.
The first set started with both teams deadlocked at seven before A&M unleashed a 6-0 rally to take the lead, 13-7, before B-CU would flip the switch as they scored 14 of the next 19 points to take the advantage, 21-18. The Bulldogs would then even the score with three straight points before the Wildcats scored four of the final five points to win the set 25-22.
Bethune-Cookman started the second frame with a 14-10 lead before pushing out a 7-0 stretch to increase their lead to 21-10. AAMU would respond with a 5-0 burst that included two kills by freshman middle hitter
India Rhodes (Chandlers, Ariz.) to narrow the gap to 21-15.
From there both teams would go back and forth before the Wildcats closed out the victory, 25-18.
B-CU managed a 6-0 margin in the third set, however, the Bulldogs answered with a 14-8 run to tie the game at 14 apiece before battling through eighth ties and six lead changes. The Wildcats would pull away, gaining the final three points to win the set and match with a 28-26 victory.
Freshman middle hitter
Ryann Tolbert (Southfield, Mich.), senior outside hitter
Ashley Jordan (Bridgetown, Barbados) and freshman middle hitter
Alondrah Santana (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) led the Bulldogs with nine, seven and six kills, respectively. Sophomore setter
Isis Mitchell (Plano, Texas) ignited the offense with 18 assists while freshman setter
Aerienne Acuff (French Lick, Ind.) finished with 12.
Senior defensive specialist
Maci Battle (Meridianville, Ala.) came away with 14 digs, while freshman defensive specialist
Kendall Murphy (Atlanta, Ga.) chipped in with 11. Acuff finished with nine digs to round out the top performers.
Alleah Dallas had 10 kills for the Wildcats while Aryn Spencer notched seven and Madison Coates fueled the offense with 18 assists. Jasmine Moore led the defense with 14 digs and Jacynta Williams had 13.
The Bulldogs will return to the court on Monday, October 18 as they battle against Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. CST.
