The Jackson State volleyball team had hoped to slow down the steaking Alabama State squad Saturday night at Lockhart Gym, and challenged the Lady Hornets in a couple of sets, but ASU eventually claimed a 3-0 SWAC conference win. Penny Lucas-White picks up her 100th victory as the head coach of Alabama State.
After cruising to a 25-9 win in the opening set, the Lady Hornets trailed most of the second set before rallying to post a 25-21 victory for a 2-0 lead. In the third set, Jackson State put up a good fight with some late points from a 22-13 deficit before ASU prevailed, 25-20 for the clincher.
"I loved the way we started, I think it set the tone," said Lucas-White. "It was more about us having a plan and us sticking to the plan. But you know how tenacious Jackson State is I didn't expect them to roll over and of course they played well in the second set. I liked how my kids didn't lose their focus and they maintained a level of competiveness that gets us over the hump in the end."
With the win, Alabama State remains unbeaten in conference play with a 6-0 record and improved to 9-7 overall. The Lady Tigers saw their marks slip to a 1-4 mark in the league and a 1-15 overall record.
Alabama State was led Briana Dorsey with 16 kills and another .700 hitting percentage. Outside hitter freshman Bayle Bennett had a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs. Jamie Coleman's 13 digs lead the defense and Kori Kutsch had 27 assists.
"Briana Dorsey was hot tonight," Lucas-White said. "She had 16 kills and another .700 hitting percentage. Our middles are always strong and Bri and Candace (Martin) showed that. I was very pleased with all my girls tonight."
Jackson State was led by Tamisha Barry with nine kills, she also had five digs and three blocks. Markayisha Masani led the defense for the Lady Tigers with 14 digs and setter Alexandra Burney had 18 assists.
In her fifth season as the coach of the Lady Hornets Lucas-White finds it exciting to pick up her 100th win at ASU.
"All I want to say is that it's "A Great Time To Be A Hornet," the excited Lucas White exclaimed. "Opportunity is here!"
The Lady Hornets will head get back on the road leaving early Sunday morning for the Texas Swing as they will face Texas Southern on Monday and then head to Prairie View and take on the Panthers.
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