MONTGOMERY, Ala. | In front of a lively home crowd at Lockhart Gymnasium, Alabama State volleyball earned a dramatic five-set victory over rival Jackson State, winning 3-2 (25-17, 20-25, 22-25, 25-20, 17-15) on Friday evening.

The win improved the Lady Hornets to 11-12 overall and 10-3 in SWAC play, while Jackson State dropped to 10-15 overall and 9-4 in the conference.

Kaylen Hines led the way for Alabama State with 15 kills on a .312 hitting percentage, including the match-clinching point in the fifth set. Jyriah Morgan followed with 17 kills and a steady presence at the net, while Camille Holloway added nine kills and key blocks that helped slow the Tigers' attack.

Setter Kamrynn Clay orchestrated the offense with 45 assists and added a team-high six service aces, helping the Hornets maintain momentum in the tight back-and-forth battle. Defensively, libero Brooke Adams anchored the back row with 22 digs, while Taylor Williams chipped in 10 digs and strong serve-receive play.

After taking the opening set 25-17 behind Morgan's early offensive surge, Alabama State stumbled in the next two frames as Jackson State's Jayden James and Cierra Gilbert fueled a Tiger rally to put ASU on the brink.

Facing elimination, the Hornets regrouped in the fourth set. Hines and Morgan powered a 6-1 run midway through the frame, and Holloway's solo block sealed a 25-20 win to force a decisive fifth.
In the final set, Alabama State trailed 4-1 before storming back behind a pair of kills from Morgan and back-to-back blocks by Hines. Clay's pinpoint setting led to consecutive kills from McQueen and Hines, giving ASU a 13-8 cushion.

Jackson State fought back to tie it at 14-all, but the Hornets held firm—Hines delivered a kill off the block for match point, followed by a Jackson State attack error to end it 17-15.

Alabama State returns tto the court on Sunday, hosting Mississippi Valley State for Senior Day at noon.