MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alcorn State University volleyball program dropped conference matches at Alabama A&M and Alabama State to open the week.
Junior Singryd Valadares and freshman Daharri Thompkins scored 11 and 10 kills respectively to lead Alcorn's attack in the two matches. Freshman Jasmine Chambers contributed 20 assists and senior Brittney Dumas added four aces. Freshman Fiapaipai Iosia anchored the defense with 26 digs.
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Alabama A&M | L, 0-3 (19-25, 11-25, 20-25)
Valadares finished with eight kills and Thompkins followed with six to lead the Lady Braves agagainst the Lady Bulldogs (6-13, 6-0). Chambers reached double-digit assists with 12 and Iosia tallied 16 digs.
The opening set was back and forth until the hosts scored four straight to pull ahead 15-10. A Thompkins kill pulled Alcorn to within 22-19, but A&M earned the final three points to claim the first match point. In the second set, the Lady Bulldogs utilized four 4-0 runs to create enough distance and make it a 2-0 match lead.
Set three saw the Lady Braves leading most of the way, but A&M was able to fight back and knot the score at 17-17. The Lady Bulldogs then outscored Alcorn 8-3 to close out the set and take the match.
Alabama State | L, 0-3 (13-25, 15-25, 10-25)
On Monday against the Lady Hornets (14-7, 7-0), freshman Omone Davies and Thompkins each tallied four kills, Chambers chipped in eight assists, and Dumas served a season-high four aces. On defense, Chambers recorded a block and Iosia made 10 digs.
After Alabama State jumped out to a 9-3 to start the opening set, Dumas served three-straight aces to highlight a 4-0 Alcorn run. The Lady Braves then tied the score at 11-11, but the hosts took off on an 11-1 run en route to an early 1-0 match lead.
The second set featured nine ties before the Lady Hornets used an 8-1 run to close it out. In the final set, Alabama State opened with an 11-1 and finished with another 8-1 run to claim the match.
Alcorn is back home Thursday as the team hosts Jackson State in a 6 p.m. SWAC game in the Davey L. Whitney Complex. Both teams will incorporate red into their attire to raise awareness for AIDs and HIV.
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