Montgomery, Ala. – Alabama State defeated Florida A&M, 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20) in non-conference volleyball action to improve to a perfect 2-0 in the ISTAP MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Lockhart Gymnasium on Friday night.
 
The win over the Rattlers (1-1) allowed the Lady Hornets to achieve their first opening day sweep in the head coach Penny Lucas-White era.
 
Senior Krysta Medearis led the offensive charge with a game-high 18 kills with a .387 hitting percentage while also tallying four digs and two block assists. Senior Bayle' Bennett and junior E'laisah Young both added double digit kills tallying 12 and 11, respectively.
 
Freshman duo Emersen Belles (13) and Madison Beasley (11) each recorded double digit digs to lead the defensive end of the ball. As a team, the Lady Hornets recorded nine block assists and a solo block.
 
Set 1 (Alabama State 25, FAMU 17)
Trailing 6-3 early in the set, the Lady Hornets found their rhythm and pulled off an 11-0 run that included four service aces by Bennett to take a commanding 14-6 lead. Medearis helped Bennett on the offensive end with six kills in eight attempts (.625 hitting) including a kill that claimed the 24th point to recapture the moment to close out the set.
 
Set 2 (Alabama State 25, FAMU 21)
Both teams battled back and forth for majority of the set as Alabama State gained what seemed to be a steady four-point lead at 11-7 but the Rattlers fought back to even the score at 16-all. Despite the comeback, the Lady Hornets rattled off an 8-2 run capped off by back-to-back kills by Young to solidify a lead it would not let up.
 
Set 3 (Alabama State 18, FAMU 25)
Alabama State was unable to find its rhythm in the third set as its only lead was 2-1. Florida A&M controlled the set by hitting .321 and holding the Lady Hornets to just .139. Despite tying the score four more times throughout the set, Alabama State could not get over the hump after committing nine attacking errors.
 
Set 4 (Alabama State 25, FAMU 20)
Alabama State answered in the fourth set with a quick 9-5 lead forcing Florida A&M to call a timeout. The Lady Rattlers fought back to bring their deficit to just one points at 18-17 but Alabama State reeled off a 6-0 run to secure the lead and set up for the victory. In the set, the Lady Hornets racked up a game-high 15 kills to hold off a furious comeback.
 
Up Next
Alabama State wraps up competition in the ISTAP SWAC/MEAC Challenge on Saturday with a 10 a.m. contest against Delaware State (0-2) inside Lockhart Gymnasium.
 
FOLLOW THE HORNETS
For complete coverage of Alabama State University volleyball, follow the Hornets on social media at @BamaStateVB (Twitter), @BamaStateSports (Instagram) and /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at www.BamaStateSports.com.