Jackson, Miss. – Alabama State nearly pulled off a come-from-behind win against Southern but ultimately fell, 3-2 (23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-17, 15-9) in Southwestern Athletic Conference volleyball action inside of the Jackson Convention Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Hornets (9-18, 6-6 SWAC) could not get into an offensive rhythm early and the Jaguars' (8-15, 8-2) defense was too much to handle at the end of the game as Southern recorded 14 team blocks and 44 digs.  
 
Junior E'laisah Young once again paced the offense with a career- and match-high 16 kills on a career- and match-high .619 hitting percentage alongside two digs and a service ace. Senior Krysta Medearis followed behind with 15 kills on a .229 hitting percentage with seven digs.
 
Senior Bayle' Bennett posted her 14th double double of the season with 12 kills and 12 digs while junior McKenzie Boland recorded her second double double in as many games with 44 assists and a team-high 13 digs.
 
Set One (Alabama State 23, Southern 25)
Despite racking up twice as many kills as Southern with 16, the Lady Hornets posted a .081 hitting percentage in the set as the Jaguars forced 13 errors. Southern used just eight kills in 27 attempts to claim a tight first set.
 
Set Two (Alabama State 23, Southern 25)
The second set was a dog fight from beginning to end as there were 12 ties and eight lead changes before Southern slipped away to take a 2-0 lead. Both teams tallied 13 kills and Alabama State hit .321 in the set but it wasn't enough to hold off a fierce Southern squad that pulled off a 5-0 run at the end to take the win.
 
Set Three (Alabama State 25, Southern 22)
The third set was similar to the second as there were nine ties and three lead changes. The Lady Hornets took the set recording 15 kills while holding the Jaguars to only 11. Tied at 21, Alabama State went on a 3-0 run that included two Southern errors that gave the Lady Hornets enough cushion to claim the set victory.
 
Set Four (Alabama State 25, Southern 17)
Alabama State carried all of its momentum from the third set into the fourth as the Lady Hornets dropped 12 kills with a .286 hitting percentage. The highlight of the set came after being tied at 12 when Alabama State went on a 7-0 run that saw two service aces from freshman Emersen Belles which deemed to be the break for the win.
 
Set Five (Alabama State 9, Southern 15)
The fifth set was completely controlled by Southern as the Jaguars tallied 10 kills on an errorless .526 hitting percentage. Alabama State struggled, only securing four kills with a .154 clip.
 
Up Next
Alabama State will take on Texas Southern at 7 p.m.
 
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