Tucson, Ariz. – Alabama State fell short to New Mexico State, 3-0 (13-25, 20-25, 23-25) in its final non-conference volleyball action in the Wildcat Classic on Saturday morning.
 
The Lady Hornets (3-11) struggled to begin the match which gave the Aggies (9-3) just enough to slip away with the win.
 
Junior E'laisah Young led the way with a team-high nine kills on a .471 hitting percentage with a game-high tying four blocks and two digs. Junior Taira Cottingham followed behind with eight kills (.400 hitting) and two digs.
 
Freshman Emersen Belles led the way with eight digs while classmate Madison Beasley recorded a team-high 15 assists.
 
Set One (Alabama State 13, New Mexico State 25)
Alabama State stayed with the Aggies early on until New Mexico State went on a 5-0 run at 9-9 that provided enough cushion to take set one. The Aggies recorded 16 kills with only two errors while holding the Lady Hornets to just seven kills. Junior Taira Cottingham recorded four kills (.667 hitting) with two digs.
 
Set Two (Alabama State 20, New Mexico State 25)
The Lady Hornets opened the set on fire with a 6-1 lead but the Aggies were able to string a few runs together to take a 12-11 lead that it would not relinquish. Alabama State tallied 11 kills with a .226 hitting percentage but New Mexico State used 17 kills and two service aces to claim the set. Junior E'laisah Young four kills and a dig.
 
Set Three (Alabama State 23, New Mexico State 25)
The Lady Hornets nearly pulled off a come-from-behind set win after going on multiple runs down the stretch including a three-point run to bring the score to 23-24 at the end but an error allowed New Mexico State to take the set. Alabama State out-killed the Aggies 15-13 with Cottingham and Young posting four and three kills, respectively.
 
Up Next
Alabama State will begin Southwestern Athletic Conference action when the team travels to Prairie View, Texas to play in the SWAC West Roundup from Sept. 27-29. The Lady Hornets will face Texas Southern (10 a.m.) and UAPB (3 p.m.) to open the roundup on Friday.
 
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