Jackson, Miss. – Alabama State locked up on defense with 80 digs and six team blocks in the 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 26-24) win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Southwestern Athletic Conference volleyball action inside of the Jackson Convention Center on Friday evening.
 
Both teams struggled offensively but The Lady Hornets (9-17, 6-5 SWAC) used their daunting defense to take the match and gain revenge over the Golden Lions (5-20, 3-8 SWAC).
 
Junior E'laisah Young led the way offensively with a career- and match-high 15 kills on a strong .407 hitting percentage with a career-high seven digs. Senior Bayle' Bennett (12 kills, 12 digs) and junior McKenzie Boland (44 assists, team-high 16 digs) both recorded double doubles.
 
Three other Lady Hornets – sophomore Amber Bolden, freshman Emersen Belles and junior Alex Wiggins, all tallied double-digit digs with 11, 12 and 12, respectively.
 
Set One (Alabama State 23, UAPB 25)
Neither team could find an offensive rhythm as the Lady Hornets hit .109 and the Golden Lions hit .114. Alabama State tallied more kills (14-11) but UAPB forced nine errors which allowed them to claim the first set.
 
Set Two (Alabama State 25, UAPB 20)
The Lady Hornets still struggled to find a rhythm but was able to force six UAPB errors and held the Golden Lions to a .111 hitting percentage to even the score at 1-all. Alabama State took a 5-4 lead that it would not relinquish despite UAPB sneaking back to trail by just one at 16-15 but the Lady Hornets went on a 4-0 that created enough cushion for the win.
 
Set Three (Alabama State 25, UAPB 22)
The third set was unlike the first two as it was a tight offensive battle with Alabama State hitting .310 and the Golden Lions posted a .324 percentage. The Lady Hornets were able to outlast UAPB with 18 kills with only five errors to take a 2-1 lead.
 
Set Four (Alabama State 26, UAPB 24)
Despite the tight score, Alabama State held UAPB to a -.026 forcing eight errors in the set. The Lady Hornets were only able to secure 13 kills but posted three service aces to seal the deal. With the game on the line, Alabama State trailed 24-22 but rattled off four straight points including a crucial service ace from junior Nastazia Heholt to give to take the 25-24 lead.  
 
Up Next
Alabama State faces Southern (12:30 p.m.) and Texas Southern (7 p.m.) on Saturday at the Jackson Convention Center
 
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