Prairie View, Texas – Alabama State dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 (25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 22-25, 13-15) decision to Texas Southern in Southwestern Athletic Conference volleyball action in the first match of the SWAC West Roundup on Friday morning.
 
The Lady Hornets (3-12, 0-1 SWAC) started the match hot by claiming the first two sets but Texas Southern (2-8, 1-0 SWAC) never let up and locked up on defense to solidify the conference-opening win.
 
Both teams did not hit particularly well as Alabama State hit .146 and TSU hit .152. The Lady Hornets out blocked the Lady Tigers 11-6 but TSU recorded nine more digs and five more kills to claim the win.
 
Senior Bayle' Bennett lead the way with a game-high 17 kills alongside eight digs, a career-high tying five blocks (three solo) and a service ace. Reigning SWAC Newcomer of the Week E'laisah Young posted a season-high 13 kills with a .360 hitting percentage. Young also recorded two service aces, two blocks and two digs.
 
Set One (Alabama State 25, Texas Southern 22)
Alabama State controlled most of the momentum in the first as the Lady Hornets hit .310 while holding the Lady Tigers to .125 with only nine kills. Alabama State secured 13 kills in the set with only four errors. It was a tough battle throughout the set as there were eight ties and five lead changes.
 
Set Two (Alabama State 25, Texas Southern 21)
The Lady Hornets began the set hot, jumping out to an early 8-3 lead but TSU did not give up as they came within three points near the end of the set at 22-19. Alabama State was able to hold on and claim the second set as they held the Lady Tigers to a .027 hitting percentage.
 
Set Three (Alabama State 18, Texas Southern 25)
Alabama State was able to grab a 9-6 lead after a lot of back-and-forth to begin the set but TSU went on a 9-2 run to grab a 15-11 lead that it would not relinquish. The Lady Hornets struggled offensively in the set as they tallied nine kills but also committed nine errors.
 
Set Four (Alabama State 22, Texas Southern 25)
Neither team could really find an offensive rhythm to sustain a solid lead as there were nine ties and six lead changes in the set. Tied at 15, Texas Southern went on a 7-3 run to take a 22-18 lead forcing Alabama State to call a timeout but the Lady Hornets were unable to fight back.
 
Set Five (Alabama State 13, Texas Southern 15)
Alabama State controlled the momentum early, holding an 8-4 lead at the switch. Coming out of the switch, Texas Southern went on a 4-2 run to force Alabama State to call a timeout and kept its momentum to close out the set.
 
Up Next
Alabama State will be back in action at 3 p.m. to face UAPB.
 
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