LORMAN, Miss. – A pair of volleyball matches were overshadowed by an injury to freshman
Sydney Joseph as Alcorn State University dropped 3-0 decisions to Alabama A&M on Sunday and Alabama State on Monday.
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The Bulldogs (11-12, 7-0 SWAC) and the Hornets (9-14, 6-1 SWAC) are the top two teams in the SWAC standings.
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Alcorn (5-11, 3-4 SWAC) was tied 20-20 in the first set against Alabama State when Joseph dove underneath the net in attempt to save the ball to her side when she came down hard. The match was delayed about 20 minutes as a stretcher came into E.E. Simmons Gym and took her to the hospital.
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The Lady Braves dropped the set 25-23 and the second 25-9. Alcorn fought hard in the third and had three set points before ASU was able to come back to clinch the match 26-24.
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Joseph leads the team with 138 kills on the season.
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"First off, our hearts and prayers are with Sydney right now. Losing her affected us not only on the court but also in the huddle," said Alcorn head coach
Chelsey Lucas.
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Sophomore
Mae Lewis registered seven kills and a .300 hitting percentage. Sophomore
Kaylyn Latin dug up 14 balls on the back line.
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Sophomore
Fiapaipai Iosia, who entered the match ranked top-five in the nation in service aces, tallied four aces in three sets.
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"We battled tonight but just didn't have enough consistency across all three sets. We know we can compete with the top teams in our league but we can't take sets off. We'll get back at it tomorrow and prepare for another big match at Jackson State," Lucas said.
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Against the Bulldogs on Sunday at the Davey L. Whitney Complex, AAMU ended on top 25-19, 25-15, 25-17. Senior
Alondra Rivera Modesto put away nine kills, while Joseph and Lewis had six apiece. Junior Barbara Cabo dished out 13 assists and Iosia also reached double-figures with 11 digs.
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Alcorn will continue conference play Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when it heads to Jackson State. The Lady Braves will also play a road match Monday at Mississippi Valley State.
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