JACKSON, Miss. | Conference win number 42 proved to be the hardest as Alabama State won their second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference championship Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 (25-20,21-25,25-21,25-18) victory over Texas Southern.
 
"This match was the hardest match I have had in my seven years," Alabama State head coach Penny Lucas-White said. "Both of these teams play each other so well, if you take something you are giving up something else. I thank God for my kids fortitude, they just have fortitude."
 
Alabama State was able to jump ahead early in the match as they came back from an early deficit to take the opening set 25-20, the first time in three matches that the Lady Hornets were able to take the opening set over Texas Southern.
 
"They ran almost every ball down," White said. "Even though we won the first set, we let way too many balls drop watching the game instead of playing the game. You want to be a part of the game, not a spectator, you want to be a part of the game to make a difference."
 
Texas Southern evened things up in the second set, before Alabama State won the final two sets for the win. The Lady Hornets battled from behind in each of the four sets in the championship to match to win their fourth championship in five years.
 
Ni'yesha Brown led Alabama State with 15 kills while hitting .216, and adding nine digs. Briana Dorsey and Krysta Medearis each finished with 10 kills for the Lady Hornets, who hit .211 as a team. Kori Kutsch led Alabama State (28-10) with 24 assists, while Justus Tuiolosega added 13.
 
Asha Daniels led the Lady Hornets with 15 digs, while as team Alabama State finished with 17 blocks.
 
Alabama State had three players named All-Tournament at the conclusion of the match with Dorsey earning MVP honors, and Brown and Martin joined her on the All-Tournament Team.
 
"The sweetest was Candace," White said. "That is our main artery. That kid will do whatever it takes as the team captain. She will take the flack, she will nurture them and she will support them. She will also reprimand them, but she will support them."
 
Alabama State will await their opponent, as the NCAA Selection Show will air next Sunday night live on ESPNU.
 
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