AUBURN, Ala. | The Alabama State University volleyball dropped their first match of the year, falling to Auburn 3-0 (11-25,27-29,19-25) at Auburn Arena Tuesday night.
 
"We grew up tonight," Alabama State head coach Penny Lucas-White said. "We came into this match and we talked about where we wanted to be, we have already had a talk about our goals for the season. Tonight was a good test for us, and we grew up."
 
After dropping the first set, Alabama State (2-1) stormed back in the second set and had three set points in the set. They took as much as a five-point lead at 13-8. The two teams traded points in the set until Auburn (3-1) was able to win the final two points to a two-set lead.
 
"That was a coaching thing," White said. "I went pretty small in the first set, that was me and I take responsibility for that. We went with a little more size in the second set. I thought Payten (Clark) blocked really well, we had 10 team blocks. Our middles came alive which we haven't seen a lot of in the first two matches.
 
"Briana (Dorsey) and Payten got some good swings, unfortunately some of them were out. The right sides had a great night, with Tamara Martin doing a great job off the bench. I saw a lot of potential, and it is all about sustainability now. We have to sustain that discipline and play at that level, being able to train at that level every day."
 
Krysta Medearis and Briana Dorsey combined for six kills in the match, while Payten Clark and Bayle' Bennett each added four. Kori Kutsch led the Lady Hornets with 11 assists, while Ni'yesha Brown finished with 10 digs.
 
Stat of the Night

• Alabama State recorded 10 total blocks on the night, seven more than Auburn had in the contest.
• Krysta Medearis and Briana Dorsey combined for six kills on the night, half of the output for the Lady Hornets.
• Ni'yesha Brown posted a season-high 10 digs in the loss.

 
How It Happened

• The two teams traded points in the opening set, with the Lady Hornets tying the set up at 4-all on back-to-back blocks by Brittany Brown and Payten Clark.
• Auburn went on a 7-0 run to take an 11-5 lead early in the opening set. The Lady Hornets were able to trim the lead to 14-7 on back-to-back points.
• Briana Dorsey came up big late in the opening set with a block solo and an ace to trim the lead to 22-11.
• Alabama State jumped ahead in second set with the first two points of the set, and maintained that lead through the first eight of the set as they held a 5-3 lead.
• Tamara Martin made her first appearance of the season in the second set and promptly answered the bell, recording her first kill of the season for a 6-4 lead. After Auburn trimmed the lead to a single point, the Lady Hornets went on a run to open a 13-8 lead midway through the second set.
• Alabama State grabbed a 16-13 lead late in the second set, before Auburn came back to tie it up at 16-all. From there, the two teams traded points until Alabama State reeled off three consecutive points to grab a 21-19 lead.
• The Lady Hornets trailed 14-10 in the third set, until Penny Lucas-White used her first challenge of the season and won the call which reverse the score and left it at 13-11.
• Alabama State battled back in the third set, battling back from a pair of match points down before falling 25-19.

 
Up Next

• Alabama State will travel out to west to play in the North Harbour Marriott Invitational in Portland (Ore.).
• The Lady Hornets will face Fresno State and Oregon State in Friday's matches, before facing Portland on Saturday.

 
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