MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama State University volleyball team took the first set from the University of Alabama before a capacity crowd at Lockhart Gymnasium before falling 3-1 (25-21,22-25,13-25,21-25) to the Crimson Tide Thursday evening.
 
Bayle' Bennett led Alabama State (16-8) with a match-high 15 kills, leading four players in double figure kills. Ni'yesha Brown joined her with 14 kills and 10 digs, while Krysta Medearis and Payten Clark each added 11 kills.
 
Kori Kutsch and Justus Tuiolosega led Alabama State with 22 assists each, while Asha Daniels led Alabama State with a match-high 21 digs.
 
The Lady Hornets were trailing in the opening set 15-10, before a kill from Brown brought them within 15-11 and ignited a 5-0 run that would tie the match. After the two exchanged six points, an attack error by Alabama (14-6) opened the door for Alabama State to take the lead. The Lady Hornets took a two-point lead on a kill by Briana Dorsey, before Alabama closed to within one. However, a kill from Brown and another by Dorsey, along with a pair of errors to lead the Lady Hornets to the first set victory. The first set victory was the first for Alabama State over the Crimson Tide since 1989.
 
Alabama State jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the second set on a pair of kills from Medearis and one from Bennett, before Alabama went on a 7-0 run to take a 9-5 lead. The Lady Hornets did not go easily, as they battled back to tie the set and eventually regain the lead at 16-15 on a Bennett kill. The two teams traded points until the Crimson Tide went on a 3-0 run to win the second set 25-22.
 
The Crimson Tide won the third set 25-13, before the Lady Hornets battled back in the fourth set. After Alabama took a 6-1 lead, the Lady Hornets went on a 10-6 run to tie the set at 12-all on a kill from Clark. From there, the two teams traded points until Alabama was able to pull away following an 18-all tie on a kill from Dorsey. The Crimson Tide closed the set on a 7-3 run to claim the match.
 
Mahalia Swink led Alabama with 15 kills, while Ginger Perinar and Leah Lawrence each added 10. Meghan Neelon led Alabama with 42 assists, while Quincy Gary added 16 digs.
 
Alabama State out-hit Alabama on the night, finishing the night hitting .235 and recorded 59 kills to the 49 put up by Alabama.
 
The Lady Hornets return to action Tuesday on the road at Troy University, a match that will be broadcast on ESPN3.
 
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