In their home opener of the season the Lady Hornets opened up with a 3-2 win over the North Carolina A&T Aggies on Friday afternoon in the steams of the Dunn-Oliver Acadome during the ISTAP Collegiate Cup I tournament.
 
The first set scores didn't hardly dictate how the game would finish as ASU lost 25-13.  Both newcomers Krysta Medearis and Ni'yesha Brown led the Lady Hornets with two kills apiece.  Alabama State just couldn't find their rhythm.
 
The second set showed the Lady Hornets in a different frame of mind as they jumped on the board first.  The score tied four times before ASU took a strong five point lead to win 25-20.  This set was led by Medearis and junior Brittany Brown as they both had four kills apiece.  Junior Tamara Martin had three kills. 
 
Set three was somewhat similar to set two, but this time junior Briana Dorsey led the charge as she had six kills, one service ace, and one block to add to her numbers.  The Aggies won this set 25-22 on two lead changes and several ties. 
 
Early on in the set the Aggies jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead, before the Lady Hornets rallied back on 12 unanswered points as senior Jamie Coleman took the lead on serves.  Set four led the Lady Hornets and NCA&T into a fifth set as ASU took set four 25-15.
 
N. Brown led the team with seven kills and one block assist in this set and Coleman had seven digs leading all Lady Hornets in set four.
 
The final set of the afternoon saw Alabama State take a quick 10-0 lead behind the serving of sophomore Kori Kutsch, who led the team with a total assists of 23.  The Aggies chipped into their lead as they rallied to four unanswered points.  But it didn't take Alabama State long after taking a time out to put things in perspective and close out the set with the final score of 15-7.
 
Dorsey and Martin both had three kills apiece.  Dorsey led the team with 14 kills, three blocks (one solo and two assisted) posting a .370 percent in her first game of the season.  Medearis had 12 kills in her debut as a Lady Hornet. N. Brown finished the game with 10 kills. 
 
Junior transfer Justus Tuiolosega had 19 assists, two service aces and five digs in her first game as a Lady Hornet.  Coleman led both teams with 16 digs.
 
Alabama State dropped their second match falling to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 3-0 in the night edition.
 
UMES won the first set 25-23 on five ties.  The Lady Hornets never led in the match, but battled back and forth before the Hawks was able to win the set.
 
Set two saw the Lady Hornets in a bit of disarray as UMES ran a quick five point lead midway thru the set.  Alabama State's comeback was a little too late falling 25-15.

The third set saw the Hawks jump out on top of ASU on a 6-0 lead.   The Lady Hornets were able to rally back tying the game at 18-18 for the first time in the set.  Brittany Brown led the charge on the serve acquiring eight straight points.
 
From this point the battle began as it could have been either team's set.  With six consecutive ties ASU just could close the deal as UMES settled the draw with a 27-25 win.
 
Medearis led the Lady Hornets with 11 kills as did Rachel Kayongo from UMES.  Kutsch had 16 assists and eight digs, while chambers led both teams with 18 digs.  Dorsey had three blocks (one solo and two assisted).
 
The Lady Hornets will return to the floor with a 12:30 matchup with Towson, who hasn't lost one match.  They defeated Jackson State and Texas Southern.
 
Alabama State will play in the Acadome for both games the final match will be at 7 p.m.  The first match of the day will be Tennessee State vs. Alabama A&M in the Acadome and North Carolina A&T will face Jackson State in Lockhart both matches will begin at 10 a.m.
 
Fans are encouraged to come and meet the Alabama State fall sports (volleyball, football, cross country and soccer teams) on the Acadome concourse at 9 a.m.   Fans will receive signed autograph posters from each team to keep up with ASU teams events.