MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama A&M (4-20, 3-5 SWAC) began the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) stretch run at rival Alabama State (10-13, 7-1 SWAC) but could not keep pace with one of the top teams in the league, falling 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-16, 25-13) in an NCAA Division I women's volleyball match on Thursday, October 20.
The Hornets wasted no time in jumping out to a dominant 16-7 lead before A&M used a 9-6 stretch to close the gap to 22-16. From there, however, the teams would be even the rest of the way, giving Alabama State a 25-19 victory and 1-0 match lead.
It would be a different story in Game 2 as the Bulldogs came out like gangbusters, scoring the first seven points. ASU would answer with six of the next nine points to pull to within 10-6 only to see Alabama A&M use a 6-2 run to extend to a 16-8 advantage. It would continue to be a game of runs as the Hornets got back to within four on a pair of occasions, the last at 19-15, before three kills by freshman outside hitter
Bailey Duckett (Huntsville, Ala.) helped fuel their own 25-19 decision, this one knotting the match up at 1-1.
A&M would continue their strong play in the third set, taking seven of the first 10 points, but that would not last as Alabama State came right back with an 11-3 run to flip the script and pull ahead 18-10. That would power what would be a 25-16 decision for a 2-1 lead.
After a pair of narrow two point margins early in Game 4, the last at 6-4, ASU would take command as they exploded with a 13-5 run that gave them a 17-9 lead. They would then take eight of the next 12 points to close out the 25-13 win and secure the 3-1 match victory.
Duckett erupted for 20 kills behind a .325 hitting percentage to lead the Bulldogs while freshman middle blocker
Kemora Coachman (Harvest, Ala.) finished with eight kills and a team-high 10 digs along with six total blocks. Freshman outside hitter
Caitlin Shaw (Desoto, Texas) added eight kills and freshman setter
Grace Tapscott (Hartselle, Ala.) dished out 34 assists to round out the top performers.
Kalysia Bates delivered 15 kills to pace Alabama State and was joined by Jada Rhodes with 10 kills and a pair of blocks. A'Nylah Cobb added eight kills and Temperance Chatman posted a match-high 13 digs to anchor the defense.
Alabama A&M returns home to take on Jackson State on Sunday, October 24. First serve is set for 4 p.m. in Elmore Gymnasium.
