On the concluding day of the 2016 Wildcat Classic Alabama State's late rallies couldn't push them pass the Southern Methodist University Mustangs Saturday afternoon at the  McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
 
SMU immediately jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the Lady Hornets.  It wasn't until an attack and Kill by freshman Bayle Bennett that placed Alabama State on the board.  The Mustangs continued to work the court from left to right as their attack, set and kills put ASU away on a 25-7 win of set one. 
 
Set two was a different set of six as these ladies who started set one played with more care and urgency.  This time ASU received the first point as freshman Krysta Medearis boomed a kill from setter Kori Kutsch.  There were three ties in this set, but ASU's late rally wasn't enough as they went down 25-18.  This set was a little even as ASU had 11 kills to SMU's 18.  Both teams had 31 total attacks. 
 
In their final set Alabama State reverted back to much like set one in the first few minutes of the set.  ASU just couldn't find their feet, until after coach Penny Lucas White took a timeout.  On the collage of Bennett and Briana Dorsey the Lady Hornets rallied off five points before the Mustangs closed out with another 25-18 win over State.
 
"I was not pleased with the first set we played," said Lucas-White. "But after we came out of the intermission we sparked some and that's what I want from my girls.  They just have to continue to work together and we as a coaching staff need to make sure we get them going in the right direction."
 
Bennett finished leading the Lady Hornets with 10 kills, four digs and three assisted blocks, notching a spot on the All-Tournament team.  While Jamie Coleman led on the digs with 12 she also held a spot on the All-Tournament team.  Kori Kutsch had 13 assists to end the weekend.
 
2016 Wildcat All-Tournament Team
Kendra Dahlke, Arizona (MVP)
Penina Snuka, Arizona
Laura Larson, Arizona
Jasmine Gross, Pepperdine
Hana Lishman, Pepperdine
Morgan Heise, SMU
Lauren Mille, SMU
Bayle Bennet, Alabama State
Jamie Coleman, Alabama State
 
The Lady Hornets will return home to host the Collegiate Cup Invitational which will be held at Lockhart Gym, September 9-10.