Montgomery, Ala. | Following a nine-game sprint through conference action, Alabama State will step out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Wednesday night for a match with Alabama in Tuscaloosa at 7 pm.

The Lady Hornets (10-15, 7-2) have won six-of-seven and are two games out of first place in the SWAC. Head coach Penny Lucas-White's club has found success lately behind a stout net defense, leading the conference in total blocks (165.5) and trailing only Texas Southern in blocks per set (1.86). Senior Candace Martin recently surpassed the 250 career-blocks plateau (257) and has continued to make her presence known in her final year in the Capital City, leading the conference with 82 total blocks. Fellow senior Kori Kutsch has also been a steady presence on the court in her final campaign, putting up 20 or more assists in 19 of 25 matches. The Torrance, Calif. native leads the SWAC with 687 total assists.

The Crimson Tide (14-5, 2-4 SEC), No. 29 in the latest RPI, enters Wednesday's match fresh off a three-set takedown of rival Auburn. Alabama is paced by Doris Carter and Ginger Perinar, who have 211 and 219 kills, respectively. Meghan Neelon (425 assists) and Mylana Byrd (310) orchestrate the offense. Neelon leads all Alabama players with 23 aces. The Crimson Tide boast five players with at least 130 digs, led by Quincey Gary (298). Cidavia Hall (73 blocks) and Hayley McSparin (70) anchor the defense. Perinar leads all Alabama players at 3.63 points per set. Alabama State dropped a hotly contested four-set match to the Crimson Tide in 2017, despite 15 kills from Bayle' Bennett and 22 assists from Kori Kutsch. The Lady Hornets won their first set in the series since 1989.

The contest will be streamed live on ESPN .

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