Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Freshman outside hitter Krysta Medearis led the way for the Lady Hornets with 30 kills over two games as Alabama State closed out their non-conference season play with wins over Savannah State (3-0) and Chicago State (3-1) Saturday on the final day of the ISTAP Collegiate Cup Invitational.
 
The Lady Hornets took no prisoners as they fought a good fight against SSU in its first match of the day as they completed their first sweep of the season by the scores of 26-24, 25-17 and 27-25.
 
ASU had a fantastic defensive performance against the Tigers as they compiled 12 blocks, and only two blocking errors, which led to a .039 hitting percentage for Savannah State.
 
Medearis set the tone for the Lady Hornets as she tallied a match high of 13 kills and three block assists.  Junior middle Briana Dorsey added 12 kills and four blocks, while setter junior Justus Tuiolosega added a game high of 34 assists.
 
"I felt as though Savannah State is a much improved team," said head coach Penny Lucas-White.  "They just never went away, however I am pleased that we fought thru with the injury of Kori Kutsch.  We weren't sure how we were going to make it work, but I was pleased with all the kids that rose to the occasion and competed."
 
Game 2
Down the first set the Alabama State volleyball team had to fight and keep composure to take a 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-17, 25-23) win over the Cougars of Chicago State.
 
"Chicago State is really a good team," said Lucas White.  "They do a lot of nice things, they moved the ball around.  They are a little bit more advanced with shots and selections of where to hit.  I went to a smaller line up because I needed more energy on the floor.  I made a gusty call, but my kids rose to the occasion.  Brittany Brown had some big hits for us and she really got the crowd going."
 
A true team effort, the Lady Hornets (3-7) collectively raised their level of play to give the Cougars (1-8) their second loss of the day.
 
The second and fourth sets of the match were mirror images of one another as the teams tied eight ties in each set and each time ASU was able to capitalize on each error made by Chicago State.
 
Medearis led the team with a career high of 17 kills, while Dorsey had eight blocks (2 solo and 6 assisted) and added 11 kills to the win.  Tuiolosega also had a career high of 46 assists.  Jamie Coleman had a game high of 27 digs. 
 
"I am especially pleased with Krysta Medearis," said Lucas White.  "We've moved her around from one side, to the middle and to the other side.  She's just done a phenomenal job for us.  Our libero Jamie talks everyone through and she's like the mother of team, really nurturing them, but at the same time challenging them to do their best."
 
"I can't commend Justus enough about how's she handled the pressure and I felt like she did a phenomenal job of getting to the ball and moving the ball around to all of the hitters.  Briana and Candace Martin both did a good job for us in the middle."
 
Alabama State returns to action on Friday, September 16 in their first conference action against Alcorn in Lorman, Miss.  The match is set to begin at 4:30.
 
All the latest information about Alabama State Athletics can be found on bamastatesports.com or Twitter (twitter.com/asubuzz) and Facebook (facebook.com/asubuzz). 
 
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