The Alabama State women's volleyball team had its bright moments, knocking off Savannah State and the Citadel, during the ISTAP Collegiate Cup 2 tournament last Thursday and Friday.

The Lady Hornets (4-9) also had its moments against schools like Alabama and Southern Mississippi where ASU hung around and showed that it could contend with top-level opponents.

ASU coach Penny Lucas-White has tinkered with the starting lineup some, infusing players like sophomore Jamie Coleman into the mix more for her defensive ability.  Coleman has responded well with her increase in playing time by producing 59 digs (11.8 digs per match) over her last five matches.  

Now, the team is looking for something to bring it all together.  

ASU will get that opportunity when it welcomes in Jacksonville State (4-6) to Lockhart Gymnasium on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a nonconference tilt to see just how much it learned this past week.   

The learning curve may be the sharpest from junior outside hitter Chelsey Scott and senior setter Ellyn Jones as both are coming off playing some of their best volleyball of the season.

Each were named to the All-Tournament Team during the recent five-game ISTAP Collegiate Cup 2 Tournament. 

Scott has racked up 41 kills, 14 digs and nine aces over her last six matches while Jones has nestled in as one of the team's most reliable setters accounting for 119 assists during the past week. 

The Gamecocks are coming off a hard-earned 3-1 win (24-26, 25-18, 26-24, 28-26) against Mercer on Saturday in the Ole Miss Magnolia Invitational.

Junior outside hitter Emily Rutherford and senior middle blocker Nicole Merget led the Gamecocks with big games.  Rutherford had 16 kills and two blocks while Merget added 15 kills and four blocks.

Freshman Jennifer Hart is the main setter of the team with 314 of the team's 361 assists (86.9 percent).  Hart was named the Ohio Valley Conference Setter of the Week for her efforts in guiding the team to a couple of wins during the Ole Miss Magnolia Invitational. 

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