In front of a record crowd at Lockhart Gym, Alabama State could not come away with a win against rival Alabama A&M in SWAC action Wednesday night.  The loss drops the Lady Hornets to 11-18 on the season and 2-2 in SWAC play, while Alabama A&M improves to 7-16 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

“Although we didn't get the win I am still proud of the girls because we are improving and becoming a better team,” stated Head Coach Penny Lucas White.  “The girls are disappointed because they are hungry for a win in a good conference match-up.  We are the biggest threat in the east division and I feel that the wins will come.”

“I am mostly proud of Tiffany Dillard and Alex Chace.  Tiffany is a senior and she has not come close to reaching her full potential, she's a phenomenal athlete that was able to slow #6 Karensa Beckford down.  Alex is doing basically the same thing as Tiff and they are both adding to the offense, and we are coming together as a team.”

In a game that saw neither team take a lead of more than two points over the first half of the game both teams would make its run late.  With the score at 17-18 in favor of the A&M, the Bulldogs used three straight kills to take its largest lead of the game at 22-19.  Overall, the game would see 12 ties and five lead changes with the Bulldogs emerging on top after the first frame 25-20.

The second match found the Lady Hornets take the momentum from set one and carry it over.  ASU would take the first two points, but found A&M chipping away to tie the set 3-3 this would be the last time that these teams would see a tie.  The Lady Hornets would take the lead for good and post an insurmountable run to put the game out of reach.  Alabama State led by at least 12 points only allowing A&M a point here and there.  The Lady Hornets would end the match over the Bulldogs 25-14.

Set three saw the Bulldogs on top leading ASU 4-0, but not before Maya Bell's three kills in a row boosting the Lady Hornets up to even out the playing field 5-5.  Luiza Griz's back-to-back service aces helped also placing the ladies on top 8-6.  However, the Bulldogs and the Lady Hornets continued back and forth play until ASU took its final lead of the game at 15-14.  Alabama A&M continued to chip away ASU's lead managing to take set three 25-17.

The final set saw A&M pull away late and take the set and match 25-16.  The Lady Hornets ended the set with five kills on 31 attempts, while committing 10 errors.

Bell and Roselande Corneille led the way in the loss as both the teammates posted 12 kills apiece.  Bell also had seven digs and one service ace.  Corneille finished with another double-double her fourth on the season with 11 digs.

The record crowd of 376 was the largest in Lockhart this season.

The Lady Hornets will return to action next Tuesday, Oct. 25 as ASU will travel to Lorman, Miss to face the Lady Braves of Alcorn State for another SWAC match-up.

-HORNETS-