MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama A&M (1-9, 0-0 SWAC) closed out the ISTAP HBCU Challenge with a dominant 3-0 victory over South Carolina State (0-7, 0-0 MEAC) in NCAA Division I women's volleyball action on Saturday, September 10. They earned the victory by scores of 25-12, 25-11 and 25-12.
 
Additionally, due to technical difficulties on site yesterday, we will have the full recap of the Bulldogs' 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-17) defeat at the hands of Coppin State (4-6, 0-0 MEAC).
 
COPPIN STATE 3, ALABAMA A&M 0 (SEPTEMBER 9)
The Eagles would come out strong as they surged to a 7-2 lead in Game 1 before A&M rallied to within 11-8. From there it would be all CSU though as they put together a 14-6 run to close out a 25-14 victory.
 
Game 2 would see Coppin State put things away early as they exploded for a 17-5 run at the outset. While the Bulldogs answered with a 12-6 rally of their own to get within 23-17, it would not be enough as back-to-back kills from Ashley Roman and Ammaarah Williams locked up the 25-17 decision and a 2-0 lead for SCSU.
 
The teams would keep it close early in the third set as CSU notched a narrow 6-5 margin in the early going. That would change quickly, however as seven kills – four by Miajavon Coleman – would anchor a 9-1 run to extend to a 15-6 advantage. From there, the teams would be nearly even as the Eagles took eight of the next 15 points but even does nothing for you when trailing by that amount. The Bulldogs notched a late 4-0 run but could not avoid the 25-17 final and 3-0 sweep.
 
Freshman outside hitter Bailey Duckett (Huntsville, Ala.) led Alabama A&M with eight kills to go with six digs while sophomore setter Keyara Brooks (Arlington, Texas) finished with 19 assists and five digs. Freshman libero Miya Benson (Desoto, Texas) led the defense with nine digs to round out the top performers.
 
Williams notched a double-double of 10 kills and 11 digs to lead Coppin State while Colman joined her with 10 kills. Andrea Tsvetanova fueled the offense with 30 assists and added six digs and four service aces and Roman locked down the defense with 26 digs.
 
ALABAMA A&M 3, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 0
The Bulldogs (of A&M) would waste no time with their counterparts and namesakes from the Palmetto State as they charged out to a commanding 16-6 lead in Game 1 of their tournament finale. They continued to give no quarter on their way to a 25-12 victory and 1-0 match lead.
 
It would be more of the same in the second set as Alabama A&M pounded away, opening up an 18-8 margin. SCSU would manage a point to get it to single digits only to watch the Bulldogs rip off five straight points on their way to a 25-11 decision.
 
The clubs would battle through five ties and a pair of lead changes over the first 10 points but then it would be back to business as usual as A&M imposed its will as they scored 15 of the next 18 points for a 20-8 lead. For all intents and purposes, that brutal run put the match away, something that would be made official nine points later as the Bulldogs locked up a 25-12 victory and their own 3-0 sweep.
 
Duckett anchored the offensive attack for Alabama A&M as she drilled 12 kills to go with six digs and Brooks dished out 24 assists with just one error. Defensively it would be freshman middle blocker Madison Reagins (Duncanville, Texas) leading the way with 13 digs along with six kills and Benson with 10 digs.
 
Semira Fields led South Carolina State with five kills and Maya Rembert had eight digs for the defense. Kiarra Rosales added five digs and Siela Avea had seven assists to round out the top performances.
 
The Bulldogs will look to make it two in a row when they host USC Upstate in their home opener on Tuesday, September 13. First serve is set for 6 p.m. at Elmore Gymnasium.