Carbondale, Ill. – In the first match of the Saluki Invitational, Alabama State dropped a 3-1 (16-25, 23-25, 25-21, 13-25) decision to Memphis in non-conference volleyball action on Friday morning.
 
The Lady Hornets (3-5) had a tough time offensively in the first and final sets while the Tigers (7-0) extended their win streak to seven games after posting 52 kills and six service aces.
 
Senior Bayle' Bennett finished the match with her third double double of the season in 10 kills and 15 digs. Sophomore Taryn King racked up a career-high 13 kills (.391 hitting) with a season- and game-high five blocks.
 
Senior Krysta Medearis also turned in double digit kills with a team-high 14 and freshman Emersen Belles posted a season- and game-high 18 digs.
 
Set One (Alabama State 16, Memphis 25)
Alabama State stuck close with Memphis until the 10-point mark where Memphis gained a four-point lead and never looked back. The Lady Hornets struggled posting a .097 hitting percentage while the Tigers hit .382 with only four errors. Sophomore Taryn King finished the set with four kills and a .600 hitting percentage.
 
Set Two (Alabama State 23, Memphis 25)
Set two was all about runs as there were three lead changes over the final seven points. Memphis stole the set by scoring three straight points at the end. The Lady Hornets recorded three service aces in the set including freshman McKenzie Boland with back-to-back aces to help Alabama State gain momentum halfway through the set.
 
Set Three (Alabama State 25, Memphis 21)
Alabama State started the set hot then cooled off but rattled six straight points to take a 20-18 lead that it would not relinquish. The Lady Hornets hit a blistering .324 with 16 kills to seal the deal. Senior Krysta Medearis recorded eight kills in the set. Defensively, the team recorded four blocks and 12 digs.
 
Set Four (Alabama State 13, Memphis 25)
In the final set, Memphis controlled all the momentum, holding Alabama State to a .067 hitting percentage. The Lady Hornets only recorded eight kills while committing six errors.
 
Up Next
The Lady Hornets will take on IUPUI at 5 p.m. to finish day one of action at the Saluki Invitational.
 
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