CARBONDALE, Ill. | Alabama State dropped a 3-0 contest to Saluki Bash tournament host Southern Illinois in the Banterra Center on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Salukis jumped out to a five-point lead to start the opening set, but the Hornets were aided by three Southern Illinois errors to cut into the lead.
• Alabama State struggled to flip the momentum in the set however and did not get back within five points and fell in the first set 25-15.
• Southern Illinois secured a 2-0 advantage in the match after starting the match in a similar fashion to the first, taking an early lead.
• The Salukis continued their strong play throughout the set, forcing Alabama State two timeouts after taking a 18-9 lead.
• Out of the break the momentum did not change, as Southern Illinois took home the 25-15 win in the second.
• The Hornets trailed again in the third, falling down early after a 8-1 opening run from the Salukis. Coming out of a timeout, Southern Illinois extended their lead to  18-7 forcing another called timeout before taking the match 25-10.

MATCH NOTES

• Alabama State sent out their ninth different starting lineup over the weekend, with Emersen Belles (Gilbert, Ariz.) and Faithlynn Moss (Orlando, Fla.) both earning their first starts of the year against the Salukis.
• Belles saw her first action of the season this weekend, starting all matches of the tournament. The junior 2019 Second-Team All-SWAC team performer earned 30 digs, four assists and three aces over the three-game weekend.

UP NEXT
Alabama State (0-9) plays their first in-state match of the season on Tuesday in a midweek matchup at Troy. First serve is scheduled for 6 pm and will be broadcast on ESPN+, the Hornets third game on the family on networks so far this season.

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