Bethune-Cookman University women’s volleyball lost its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener to Alabama A&M, 3-0, on Sept. 25 at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach. Alabama A&M won the sets 25-20, 25-20 and 25-15. The result moved Bethune-Cookman to 4-7 overall and 0-1 in SWAC play, while Alabama A&M improved to 8-7 overall and 1-0 in conference competition.
Alabama A&M takes first two sets
Bethune-Cookman held an 8-7 lead in the opening set before Alabama A&M used a 7-0 run to take control. The Wildcats cut the deficit to 23-20 late in the set, but Alabama A&M received back-to-back kills from Rayishon Jackman and Carys Sanabria to secure a 25-20 win.
Bethune-Cookman again stayed within reach in the second set. Alabama A&M opened with a 5-2 advantage, but the Wildcats rallied to take a 12-11 lead after kills from Laura Lino dos Santos and Talibah Hamlett. The Bulldogs later built a 19-14 lead, and Bethune-Cookman answered with a 4-0 run to pull within 19-18 before Alabama A&M closed on a 6-2 run for another 25-20 victory.
Bulldogs finish sweep in third set
Alabama A&M took an early 5-2 lead in the third set before Bethune-Cookman tied the score at 5-5. The Bulldogs then broke open the set with a 9-0 run that produced a 17-8 advantage. Alabama A&M finished the set 25-15 to complete the sweep.
Alabama A&M recorded 51 total kills compared with 30 for Bethune-Cookman. The Bulldogs posted a .296 hitting percentage, while the Wildcats finished at .177. Gerren Tomlin led Alabama A&M with 17 kills.
Key performances and next match
Alaya Rhodes and Kaleigh Williams led Bethune-Cookman with seven kills each. Nola Hemphill recorded 14 assists, and Kylynn White finished with 11 assists.
For Alabama A&M, Amya Jennings added eight kills, five digs and two block assists. Jackman finished with five kills and six attack errors, along with a -.036 hitting percentage. The source identified Jackman as the preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Jennings as a former Bethune-Cookman player.
Bethune-Cookman women’s volleyball is scheduled to face Alabama State on Sept. 27 at noon at Moore Gymnasium. Live statistics and live video are listed for the match.
FSB Take
Bethune-Cookman remained within striking distance during the first two sets but could not turn its leads and late rallies into a set win. The Wildcats will have their next opportunity at Moore Gymnasium against Alabama State, with their SWAC record at 0-1.
Source: Original report