HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (0-12, 0-0 SWAC) fell by a 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-21) decision to North Alabama (6-7, 0-0 ASUN) in an NCAA Division I women's volleyball match on Tuesday, September 21 for their first home match in 681 days.
 
The Lions held a narrow 7-5 lead in the opening frame before a 4-0 burst extended to a six point advantage. The Bulldogs would then score consecutive points before a 3-0 stretch by UNA left them down 14-7.
 
AAMU would respond by scoring seven of the next 10 points to close the gap to 17-14 but North Alabama would answer with a 4-0 run before wrapping up the set by scoring four of the final six points to win 25-16.
 
UNA started the second set with a 9-3 run before the Bulldogs responded by scoring six of the next eight points to narrow the gap to two before the Lions scored three straight to lead 14-9.
 
A&M would score four of the next six points to cut the lead 16-13 before North Alabama had a 7-0 stretch to push their advantage to 23-13. A&M would score four of the next five points but UNA would make the final point and win the set 25-17.
 
In the final frame, the Bulldogs led 13-8 before the Lions unleashed a 7-1 rally to flip the script and take a one point lead. AAMU responded with a 5-0 burst that saw them gain the advantage 19-15 before North Alabama produced an 8-0 stretch to take the lead 23-19.
 
The teams would then go back and forth before UNA would score the final point and wrap up the set, and the match, with a 25-21 victory.
 
Freshmen middle hitters Ryann Tolbert (Southfield, Mich,) and Sydney Morant (Columbus, Ohio) led the Bulldogs in kills with seven and four, respectively. Freshman setter Collen Kennedy fueled the offense with 13 assists while freshman defensive specialist Abigail Cangelosi chipped in with seven digs and senior defensive specialist Maci Battle added four digs to round out the top performers.
 
Anna Griggs and Tatum Fouche had 10 kills each for the Lions while katy Floyd had seven. Breylee Linder dished out 31 assists and Katie Gerig lead the defense with five digs.
 
The Bulldogs will next head to Montgomery, Alabama on Friday, September 24 for their first SWAC match up as they take on in-state rival Alabama State. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

Notes
This was the Bulldogs first home game since November 10, 2019 as the team opted out of the Spring 2021 season due to the Coronavirus.