THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University volleyball team began its 2025 season on Friday afternoon with a pair of wins to open play at the Second Annual Betty Austin Invitational at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium as the Bulldogs defeated South Carolina State, 3-1, and Morgan State, 3-0.
 
MATCH 1 - Alabama A&M 3, South Carolina State 1
Scores: 27-29, 25-21, 25-10, 25-10
 
Alabama A&M finished with 55 kills in 126 total attacks (.302 hitting percentage), 56 digs, 53 assists, 12 service aces and 3.0 total team blocks.
 
The trio of Rayishon Jackman, Fatima Ramirez and Nisaan Martinez combined for 41 of the 55 kills. Jackman posted 17 kills, eight digs, two service assists and one assist, while Ramirez added 14 kills, five digs, two assists and two service aces. Martinez chipped in 10 kills, nine digs, five service aces and one assist. Briana Smith and Kaydee Smith registered 29 and 12 assists, respectively.
 
South Carolina State recorded 36 kills in 117 total attacks, 42 digs, 35 assists, three service aces and 5.0 total team blocks.
 
Kiyah Felder led SCSU's offense with nine kills, while Arianna James posted 11 assists. Defensively, Xaria Pickett added 10 digs.
 
MATCH 2 - Alabama A&M 3, Morgan State 0
Scores: 25-23, 25-11, 25-22
 
In the nightcap, Alabama A&M (2-0) went toe-to-toe with Morgan State (1-1) and came out victories in three sets.
 
The Bulldogs finished with 45 kills in 89 total attacks (.371 hitting percentage), along with 40 assists, 32 digs, five service aces and five total team blocks.
 
Martinez led the way offensively with 13 kills, while hitting .500 and adding five digs. Jackman tallied 10 kills and three digs, while Ramirez added eight kills and seven digs. Briana Smith and Kaydee Smith registered 26 and 10 assists, respectively, while Kelani Talakai chipped in seven digs.
 
Jada Williams poured in nine kills and three digs to pace Morgan State. Isabelle Brown recorded 27 assists, while Hannah Chappelle posted a team-high six digs.
 
BETTY AUSTIN INVITATIONAL STANDINGS – through two matches
Delaware State: 2-0
Alabama A&M: 2-0
Morgan State: 1-1
Southern: 1-1
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 0-2
South Carolina State: 0-2
 
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M concludes play in the Betty Austin Invitational on Saturday against Delaware State. First serve is slated for 12 p.m. from T.M. Elmore Gymnasium.
 
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