TROY, Ala. | In the opening match of the 2022 National Invitational Volleyball Tournament, the Alabama State women's volleyball team fell short to the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 3-1 inside Trojan Arena. 

THE BASICS 
Score: Southern Mississippi - 3 | Alabama State - 1 
Records: Lady Hornets 20-15 | Golden Eagles 19-11 
Date: December 1, 2022 
Location: Troy, Alabama | Trojan Arena 
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HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Alabama State jumped out to a dominant start after taking the first frame 25-17 to hold a 1-0 set advantage over Southern Miss.
• The Golden Eagles responded with a six-point win (25-19) in the second set and evened the score at one set apiece.
• Despite four kills from Kalysia Bates in the third set, USM took a 2-1 set lead after taking the third frame 25-18.
• Southern Miss. finished the fourth set on a 4-0 run and claimed a 25-18 win and a 3-1 victory over the Lady Hornets.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• Alabama State recorded 41 kills on 120 attacks (.158) while Southern Mississippi registered 55 kills on 145 (.248).
• Kalysia Bates (12), Jada Rhodes (11), and A'Nylah Cobb (8) led the way for the Lady Hornets in kills.
• Bates and Temperance Chatman each logged two service aces apiece.
• Madison Beasley dished out 29 assists while Emily Brooks tallied 11 helpers at setter for Alabama State.
• Chatman (20) and Beasley (11) also led the Lady Hornets in digs.
• On the defensive end, Mahogany Vinson and Kalysia Bates amassed four blocks apiece followed by Christian Ashby with two.