Montgomery, Ala. – Alabama State struggled to find a rhythm in the beginning but eventually caught a groove to defeat Delaware State, 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-11, 25-22) in its final non-conference matchup in the ISTAP SWAC/MEAC Challenge at Lockhart Gymnasium on Saturday morning.
 
The Lady Hornets (3-0) began the contest with a slow start and fell behind to the Hornets (1-3) after hitting .133 in the first set but fought hard to win three straight sets to secure the victory.
 
Senior Bayle' Bennett led the team with her first double double of the season (14 kills, 11 digs) alongside five total blocks. Junior E'laisah Young added seven total blocks with a game-high tying three services aces.
 
Freshman Madison Beasley finished with 21 assists while classmate Emersen Belles tallied a game-high 16 digs.
 
Set 1 (Alabama State 18, Delaware State 25)
Alabama State fell down 6-0 to start the set and never could recover from the deficit. The closest the Lady Hornets came was within two points at 10-8. Delaware State posted a .324 hitting percentage securing 16 kills in the set.
 
Set 2 (Alabama State 26, Delaware State 24)
The second set began just like the first set, where Alabama State struggled to find any offensive success. Delaware State held majority of the momentum until it reached point 24. At that time, the Lady Hornets trailed 24-20 but a setting error gave Alabama State one last hope. Junior Alex Wiggins began with a service ace that provided enough momentum for a 6-0 run to win the set 26-24.
 
Set 3 (Alabama State 25, Delaware State 11)
The third set was controlled completely by the Lady Hornets as they hit a blistering .560 with 15 kills. Bennett led the way with six kills and four digs while Beasley tallied six of the nine assists. Seven of the 10 Alabama State players in the set tallied at least a kill.
 
Set 4 (Alabama State 25, Delaware State 22)
In the final set both teams fought it out until the end as neither team could gain a lead more than three points. There were nine ties and four lead changes in the eventual match-winning set. Junior McKenzie Boland posted six assists with three digs to help secure the win.
 
Up Next
The Lady Hornets hit the road for the first time this season when it travels to face in-state foe UAB on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
 
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