HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (0-13, 0-1 SWAC) fell by a 3-0 (25-23, 25-6, 25-9) decision to Alabama State (2-12, 1-0 SWAC) in an NCAA Division I women's volleyball match on Friday, September 24 in their first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opener.
 
The Bulldogs held a narrow 10-8 lead in the opening frame before the Hornets had a 5-0 run to overtake them for a three point advantage. They would then score six of the next 10 points for a 19-14 margin before the Bulldogs responded with a 6-0 rally to pull ahead by one, 20-19.
 
Alabama State would then put together a 6-3 run to close out the set at 25-23.
 
The Hornets pushed out to a 10-4 margin at the start of the second set before unleashing a 13-0 rally to stretch their lead to 23-4. AAMU would score back-to-back points before Alabama State would then notch consecutive points to close out the set, 25-6.
 
In the final frame, the Hornets took an early 9-3 advantage before a 6-0 run extended to a 15-3 spread. They would proceed to stretch the margin by scoring six of the next eight points for a 21-5 margin. The Bulldogs would earn a pair of points before the Hornets had a 4-2 run to win the set and match at 25-9.
 
Freshmen middle hitter Sydney Morant (Columbus, Ohio) led the Bulldogs in kills with four, freshman setter Collen Kennedy chipped in with seven digs and senior defensive specialist Maci Battle (Meridianville, Ala.) added six. Freshman middle hitter Ryan Tolbert (Southfield, Mich.) came away with five digs to round out the top performers.
 
Jada Rhodes had 10 kills for the Hornets while McKenzie Boland fueled the offense with 10 assists and Emersen Belles lead the defense with 18 digs.
 
The Bulldogs will next be in action when they return home to Huntsville, Alabama on Sunday, October 3. That day they will take on their second home match up as they take on SWAC rival Jackson State. Game time is set for 3 p.m.