GAINESVILLE, FLA. – The Alabama State women's volleyball team had their moments in their second straight trip to the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament as it went up against perennial volleyball power Florida.

Facing the No. 5 nationally-ranked and eighth-seeded Gators (26-3) in a NCAA Tournament First Round match up at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Friday night, the Lady Hornets fought diligently to battle back into the match, but fell 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-12).

Alabama State had to shake off a slow start when it trailed 10-0 from the onset behind the serving of Gators junior Mackenzie Dagostino. 

Visibly, the Lady Hornets became more comfortable as play progressed and traded points with Florida during the middle part of the opening set. 

"We had a great year," said Alabama State head volleyball coach Penny Lucas-White.  "Overall, our kids are resilient and are never going to back down from the competition.  But we've got to get better."

Florida, making its 24^th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, have won more matches (740) than any other team in the nation since the 1991 season.  Florida improved to 18-0 in NCAA Tournament first round matches.  Florida will host Miami in second round match on Saturday. 

The Lady Hornets closed with another winning season at 20-19 after winning back-to-back SWAC championships.  It was the first meeting between the schools on the volleyball court. 

Brooke Beasley, the senior from Winfield, Ala., provided hustle and heart in her final game as a Lady Hornet. 

Beasley covered ground all around the floor.  The setter ventured out to play the net too as she took an aggressive approach on the attack. 

Beasley earned the first two points for the Lady Hornets while the team was trying to get on the board.  She called out signals, clapped continuously throughout the match and did her best to provide the team with leadership. 

Beasley finished with a season-best five kills, 13 assists, four digs and a block.  She had all five of her kills on a .364 hitting percentage in the opening set to go along with three assists, a dig and a block.

"I was thinking that we have to play to their level—as a top 10 team," Beasley said.

"I was looking to get off the floor and swing high. When you play in front of a big crowd, you always want to show up and show out as much as you can.  I'm excited to have finished with two SWAC championships.  Maybe it wasn't the way I wanted to close the chapter, but we've accomplished so many things that you'd never think we could have done." 

Lucas-White was pleased with Beasley's gritty performance. 

"Brooke put up one of our best blocks and we were going to need her to do that for us," Lucas-White said. 

Briana Dorsey and Chelsey Scott each had nice moments, finding court space between Florida defenders during the set. 

Dorsey, the SWAC Freshman of the Year, was the Lady Hornets' most efficient player, hitting .400 with five kills and a block.  Scott had four kills. 

"I was pleased with how well Bri [Dorsey] and Chelsey [Scott] played tonight.  They did well.  They were still asking what else that they could do and that bodes well for our future." 

#GOHORNETS#