After winning 18 consecutive SWAC games since 2013 Alabama State volleyball fell to the school up north Alabama A&M 3-0 at the TM Elmore Gym in Huntsville, Ala.
 
On a slow start Alabama State (6-12, 2-1 SWAC) did not seem to be themselves tonight.  AAMU came right out and took a quick 4-0 lead over the Lady Hornets.  It took ASU a moment before they were able to answer back to the Bulldogs.  The two teams went back-and-forth mid-way through the match, on a few Alabama State errors Alabama A&M was able to pull away from ASU taking the first set 25-19.
 
"We just didn't show up tonight", said head coach Penny Lucas-White.  "The energy just wasn't there when we needed it to be and we just laid down."
 
Alabama A&M (3-16, 2-0) continued its momentum through set two striking first and taking advantage of ASU's mishaps.  This time the Lady Bulldogs went on an early 5-0 run, ASU final scored on a Tiara Kelley's kill.  But this was still not enough to hold off the school on the hill.  On four back-to-back mistakes AAMU took a 23-11 advantage over the Lady Hornets.  ASU just couldn't find an answer falling this time 25-14.
 
Before set three the teams took it into the locker room for a 10 minute intermission, which was needed by the Lady Hornets who was down two sets.  Last year at ASU Alabama State was in the same situation, down two and driving a fifth game momentum.  In this set it could have been any team's game.  Both schools had the hunger for the set.
 
For the first time of any set both teams were knotted at 19-19.  In a back-in-forth rally each team took turns scoring, but Alabama State couldn't hold the Lady Bulldogs off tying the game one final time at 23-23 behind two back-to-back Amber Bennett kills.  AAMU took a time out to regroup and that's exactly what they did to take the set 25-23 and the match.
 
Offensively for ASU with the return of senior Kelley, who led the way with 10 kills, while Rachel Smith added seven.  Riley MacDonald added 16 assists and teammate Kori Kutsch had 12 assists and also one block assist to lead ASU.  Scout Wonsang led the Lady Hornets defensively, tallying eight digs.
 
 As a team Alabama State had a.237, while the Lady Bulldogs held a .368 percentage.  ASU did have a bright spot out blocking AAMU 7-4.
 
Alabama A&M was led offensively by Ashundria McNeal which registered 15 kills; while Tamar Davis had seven.   Megan Butler added 21 assists in the win.
 
 
Alabama State will return to the hardwood as they continue SWAC play Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m., when they face Jackson State in Montgomery at Lockhart Gymnasium.
 
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