Alaya Rhodes recorded a season-high 21 kills as Bethune-Cookman defeated Alabama State 3-1 on Sept. 27 at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Florida. The victory was Bethune-Cookman’s first in Southwestern Athletic Conference play and moved the Wildcats to 1-1 in conference competition.
Bethune-Cookman won the final three sets after Alabama State took the opener 25-22. The Wildcats responded with victories of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-20. The records listed after the match were 5-7 overall and 1-1 in SWAC play for Bethune-Cookman, while Alabama State was listed at 2-13 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
Rhodes leads Bethune-Cookman attack
Rhodes finished with 21 kills, eight digs, three assists and two blocks. Moriah Johnson added 13 kills and four blocks as Bethune-Cookman finished with 10 total blocks.
Nola Hemphill and Aaniya Thornton each recorded nine digs. Hemphill also had 18 assists, while Kylynn White added 17 assists. Kaylen Hines led Alabama State with 14 kills.
Bethune-Cookman hit .275 for the match, compared with Alabama State’s .171. The Wildcats’ .275 hitting percentage was their second-highest in a game during the season.
Bethune-Cookman rallies after opening-set loss
Bethune-Cookman took a 3-1 lead early in the first set, but Alabama State answered with a 9-2 run. The Wildcats later tied the set at 19, before Alabama State scored six of the final nine points to win 25-22.
The Wildcats used a 9-2 run in the second set to take a 14-9 lead. Alabama State scored four straight points to pull within one, but Bethune-Cookman made the late plays needed to even the match. Talibah Hamlett recorded the final point of the set on a kill assisted by Rhodes.
Bethune-Cookman controlled the third set after taking an early 10-2 lead. The Wildcats won 25-18, hit .385 and recorded five blocks in the set, while Alabama State hit .086.
A 6-1 run helped Bethune-Cookman create separation in the fourth set. Alabama State could not close the gap, and the Wildcats finished the match with a 25-20 win.
What comes next
Bethune-Cookman’s women’s volleyball team is scheduled to visit Jackson State on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. The Wildcats will then play at Mississippi Valley State on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. and at Florida A&M on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.
The remaining listed matches include home contests against Grambling State on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m., Arkansas – Pine Bluff on Oct. 11 at noon and Florida A&M on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.
FSB Take
Bethune-Cookman’s response after dropping the opening set defined the victory. Rhodes led the attack, while the Wildcats’ .275 hitting percentage, 10 blocks and contributions from the setting and defensive units supported their first SWAC win of the season.
Source: Original report