The Alabama State volleyball team defeated Alcorn State 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-13) in its SWAC opener on Friday evening at Lockhart Gym.
 
Alabama State (5-10, 1-0 SWAC) opened the first set a little timid until they went on 11-0 run (16-11) not allowing the Lady Braves back into the set taking the first set 25-17 averaging a .235 attack percentage. 
 
Alcorn State (2-9 overall, 0-1 SWAC) tried to redeem themselves in the second set, opening the set  with two-back to back points, but ASU quickly got back on their feet not being fazed by Alcorn's slight momentum. Myla Marshall set up Brittany Brown's back-to-back service aces.  The Lady Hornets continued their rally as they picked up set two.  Alabama State rallied a .552 percentage in this set.
 
Set three saw a similar opening for the Lady Braves, but once again Alabama State was able to hold off Alcorn as they tried to volley back into the game.  ASU was able to close out the final set with a 25-13 win to give them their first SWAC conference win of the 2015 season.  The Lady Hornets set a team high of a .684 percentage in set three.
 
"I feel that this was the beginning of our real season and we are 1-0 and I am very pleased with the way that the girls performed tonight, said Head Coach Penny Lucas-White.  "We missed a couple of serves that we shouldn't have, but overall I loved the energy, the effort and the camaraderie".
 
Offensively for ASU senior Chelsey Scott led the way with 12 kills, while Amber Bennett added 9.  Riley MacDonald added 20 assists and two service aces, and teammate Kori Kutsch had 16 assists and also one block assist to lead ASU in the victory.  Rachel Smith led the Lady Hornets defensively, tallying 10 digs.
 
 As a team Alabama State had a.451 percentage holding the Lady Braves to only .93 percent for the game.
 
"Chelsey has that quick shot to the outside," Lucas-White stated.  "Many teams are not expecting her play like she does.  When she gets in she really goes.  I also think Amber did a phenomenal job as well.  Everybody knows that Myla (Seven Kills and six blocks), is a force and everybody is keying in on her and stacking against Rachel Smith (Eight kills).  This is the deepest team I have ever had and it's been pretty nice to have."
 
Freshman Simone Joiner led the Lady Braves offensively. Joiner registered five kills; while sophomore Heather Jackson and junior Taylor Screvin added 3 kills.  Brittney Dumas added five assists.
 
 Defensively, Alcorn was led by junior libero Carol Kiam-Assato with eight digs
 
Alabama State will return to the court Saturday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m.  when they face another SWAC rival Mississippi Valley.
 
"I think that Mississippi Valley works hard, but tend to make a lot of errors you can't ever under estimate anybody," Lucas-White said.  "I am sure that Valley's coach has made some changes since they played UAPB so we need to be ready for anything.  I am looking forward to playing them as well."
 
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