CONWAY, AR  – The Alabama State women's volleyball team swarmed around the court, hustled to continue the volley, and put up a solid block on the net in topping Louisiana Tech 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 19-25, 25-17) at the University of Central Arkansas Crain Automotive Invitational on Saturday. 

The Lady Hornets had plenty of moments where they had to fight to get it done.

Trailing 16-15 in the first set, ASU won 10 of the final 15 points to close out the set behind fine serving from Rachel Smith, three kills from Chelsey Scott, a pair of kills from Myla Marshall and a series of attacking errors by La Tech. 

In a similar situation in set two, the teams were tied at 17.

But, that's where the Lady Hornets came together.

ASU won eight of the final 11 points of the set behind two kills apiece from Amber Bennett and Scott, a pair of assisted blocks from Marshall and Kimeko Bennett, and a few miscues from the Lady Bulldogs.

After dropping set three, Alabama State pushed forward down the stretch once again when it was needed in the fourth set.

With a narrow 15-13 lead, ASU took 10 of the next 14 points to secure the win.   

In the set, the team was especially sharp as it had 17 kills against only three errors for a .424 hitting percentage. 

"I was really pleased with the way that the girls performed against Louisiana Tech," said ASU head coach Penny Lucas-White.

"I believe we had a game plan and they stuck to it.  They were able to reap the benefits of that.  I think discipline is going to be key to how much success that we have this year."

Louisiana Tech (6-7) was led by Angela Paprach, who had 12 kills. 

Marshall's 13 kills equaled her season-high that she had against N.C. Central on Sept. 10. 

Marshall also posted a team-high seven blocks.

Scott delivered a season-high 11 kills while Smith chipped in across the board with 10 kills, eight digs and three blocks.

Riley MacDonald equaled her career-best from a night earlier as she again led the team with 29 assists. 

Amber Bennett and Briana Dorsey totaled seven kills apiece and combined for nine blocks. 

In the nightcap, ASU was on the verge of forcing a fifth—and deciding—set, but lost to host Central Arkansas 3-1(16-25, 25-23, 11-25, 23-25).

The Lady Hornets stormed back with exuberance in the fourth set.

After trailing 16-10, ASU took 13 of the following 17 points including one stretch of seven straight to grab a 23-20 lead.

Behind a raucous crowd of the Sugar Bears' faithful, Central Arkansas took the final five points to wrap up the win. 

"We decided to block a certain way and it didn't happen," Lucas-White said.

"We let our focus down on very critical passing.  Nobody remembers that you fought and clawed your way back.  Everybody will remember when it really counted.  We shanked two passes and missed two blocks.  That's where the rubber meets the road and competitors show up.  It's getting it done when it matters the most." 

Amber Bennett led the Lady Hornets with 12 kills and six blocks. 

She finished the tournament with 33 kills and 18 blocks and was named to the All-Tournament team.

"Amber is a competitor," Lucas-White said.

"It's so refreshing to have the Amber that we saw in her sophomore year back now.  And, Amber will only get better and better every match.  She's so deserving of that.  She did a phenomenal job this weekend." 

Scott had 10 kills including seven kills in the second set alone.  

Kori Kutsch led with 19 assists while Wonsang tallied 19 digs. 

Heather Schnars led the Sugar Bears (4-9) with 15 kills, 14 digs, and five aces.

Next, ASU will play at South Alabama on Tuesday at 6 p.m. 

#GOHORNETS#