MONTGOMERY—Alabama State University will enter Southwestern Athletic Conference volleyball action on Saturday, Sept.. 22 when they play host to Alcorn State University.  The game is slated to begin at 4 p.m. in Lockhart Gymnasium.
 
ASU (0-16) has played a tough pre-conference schedule which included tournaments at Washington State University and at the University of Alabama.  That pre-conference schedule was done for a purpose as 12 newcomers dot the Lady Hornets roster.  The talent of those newcomers is evident at five of them are now starters.
 
“I had a purpose in mind in playing such a touch non-conference schedule and that was to get this young team battle-tested and ready for conference play,” Head Coach Penny Lucas-White said.  “Even though we have not seen the successes we envisioned in terms of wins, I have seen this team improve and I am encouraged by the fact they never quit.”
 
Sophomore Brooke Beasley is a multi-talented player for the Lady Hornets and has stepped into the setter's role and has over 330 assists heading into conference action.  She also leads the team in aces with 11 and has 7.5 blocks.
 
Luiza Griz started the season as the team's defensive specialist and has a team-leading 166 digs on the season.  The junior played outside hitter last season, and has started to work at that position again as the team gets deeper into the season.  That will leave freshmen Ravenn Hill and Anniiya Robinson to work at the libero position.
 
Two more freshmen, Rachel Smith and Chelsey Scott have led ASU in kills all season.  Smith has 99 and Scott 90 heading into Saturday's action.
 
“I am still excited about the future of this young team and the fact they are starting to build some solid stats during their first collegiate seasons shows their talent,” Lucas-White said.  “You have to remember the teams we have faced and the size we have faced.  Almost all the teams we have faced have had taller and more experienced front line players and this young team has been standing up to them and battling.”
 
Alcorn State (1-11/0-2) has already started their conference slate dropping contests to Jackson State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.  Evan Houston has become their top offensive weapon with 73 kills and also has a team-leading 15.5 blocks.
 
“We have been working to this point in the season and that is to get into conference play,” Lucas-White said.  “Now that it is here, I expect my team to step up and put into play the lessons they have been learning from playing the pre-conference games.  They now know what I expect from them and I can see what they are expecting from themselves and that is encouraging.”
 
Live stats will be shown live on the internet at www.bamastatesports.com.