Carbondale, Ill. – Alabama State's comeback hopes fell just short as the Lady Hornets fell to IUPUI, 3-1 (20-25, 13-25, 25-20, 24-26) in their final non-conference volleyball match on Friday evening at the Saluki Invitational.
 
Alabama State (3-6) had a hard time finding its offensive rhythm early on against the Jaguars (4-4) and was unable to hold onto its late lead in the fourth set and suffered a tough loss.
 
Senior Bayle' Bennett recorded her third double double in as many matches in 13 kills and 14 digs. Fellow classmate Krysta Medearis tallied 10 kills and a game- and season-high six blocks. Junior McKenzie Boland nearly tallied a double double with a season-high tying 17 assists and a season-high nine digs.
 
Set One (Alabama State 20, IUPUI 25)
Alabama State struggled out the gate, only securing six kills with five errors. IUPUI racked up 13 kills with a .290 hitting percentage. Additionally, IUPUI tallied three blocks to slow down the Lady Hornets offense.
 
Set Two (Alabama State 13, IUPUI 25)
The Lady Hornets were unable to find any offensive rhythm as they committed 11 errors with only six kills. After committing seven service errors in the first set, the Jaguars tightened up and only recorded two service errors to maintain their lead throughout the set.
 
Set Three (Alabama State 25, IUPUI 20)
Alabama State controlled the momentum in the third set as the team recorded 11 kills and forced IUPUI to commit nine errors and hit -.054 in the set. Defensively, the Lady Hornets recorded four blocks in the set. Bennett tallied four kills and four digs to lead the charge.
 
Set Four (Alabama State 24, IUPUI 26)
The Lady Hornets fought hard the entire set, including going on a 6-2 run to gain a 17-16 lead. Leading 23-19, the Jaguars rattled off three straight points to bring the score to 23-22. Alabama State earned its 24th point off a service error from IUPUI but shortly after, the Jaguars the final four points of the match.
 
Up Next
Alabama State will finish the Saluki Invitational on Saturday when it faces host Southern Illinois at 1:30 p.m.
 
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