MONTGOMERY, Ala. | For two sets Tuesday night at Lockhart Gymnasium, Alabama State appeared focused on the Southwestern Athletic Conference Roundup this weekend in Huntsville, Ala.
The Lady Hornets (10-17) fell in four sets (14-25, 15-25, 30-28, 25-19) to Southern Miss but left the gym with an optimistic outlook following a revitalized effort in the third and fourth stanzas. Alabama State accounted for only 29 points in the opening two frames, posting a pedestrian two blocks and 18 digs before playing inspired in the third and fourth sets.The Lady Hornets stormed back from deficits of 11-16 and 16-20 behind an improved defensive effort in the third frame, recording 23 digs while fighting off three set points before junior
Taira Cottingham smashed an attack for set point to give Alabama State a thrilling set victory.
The Lady Hornets carried the momentum in to the start of fourth frame, building an early 7-3 advantage behind kills from four different hitters. After falling behind by five (18-13) , junior Bayle Bennett narrowed the deficit to two before the Golden Eagles used a timeout to interrupt a 3-0 run and used a 7-3 spark of their own to close out the match on a service ace. The teams mirrored each other with 12 blocks apiece while Southern Miss narrowly had more digs than Alabama State (56-53)
Clark led all players with a .571 attack rate, putting away 13-of-21 attacks in addition to grabbing four blocks. Senior
Kori Kutsch posted her 10
th 30-assist outing of the season with 38 helpers to go along with two service aces and six digs. Martin, the league-leader in total blocks, swatted back four Golden Eagles attacks and finished with eight kills. Bennett (seven kills) and Cottingham (six kills) provided the Lady Hornets a well-balanced attack, giving Alabama State four players with at least six kills.
The Lady Hornets head north this Friday for the SWAC Roundup in Huntsville, Ala. and will open with Southern at 3:00 pm.
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