MVSU Edges Alcorn in Five Set Nail-Biter

ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Alcorn State University volleyball program raced out to a two-set lead Monday night, but Mississippi Valley State was able to come back and take a 3-2 (14-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-19, 15-14) decision at the Harrison Complex.
 
In the fifth set, Alcorn (5-13, 3-6 SWAC) trailed 9-6 and 13-11 when it came back to tie it 13-13. Though, after an MVSU (3-19, 1-7 SWAC) timeout, the Delta Devilettes grabbed the final two points on a kill by Taylor Selfridge and a block-assist by Selfridge and Destini Banks to end it.
 
"This was a hard-fought match that just didn't end our way tonight. We wanted to come out fast and we were able to do that. We just have to find a way to finish," said Alcorn head coach Chelsey Lucas. "These are the types of matches that will make us better in the long run."
 
The Lady Braves were without their leading attacker, freshman Sydney Joseph, for the second straight match due to injury. Sophomores Mae Lewis and Daharri Thompkins stepped up in her place with 11 kills apiece.
 
Junior Barbara Cabo turned in a double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs. She also chipped in with six kills on 13 attempts for a .462 hitting percentage and three service aces.
 
Sophomore Fiapaipai Iosia anchored the backline with a match-high 31 digs.
 
In the first set, Alcorn led 13-11 when it took control with a big 9-2 run which included kills by Thompkins and Cabo to go up 22-13. The Lady Braves finished off the set with an ace by freshman Jurnee Calhoun and a ball handling error on MVSU.
 
The Lady Braves fell behind 15-10 in the second when they started to slowly chip away and get back into it. A kill by Thompkins made it 18-16, and an attack error had Alcorn down just 21-20. The Lady Braves tied it 23-23 after a ball handling error on the Delta Devilettes. Still even at 24, Alcorn won the frame after a spike by junior Wanya Morris and a kill by freshman Simone Barren.
 
MVSU won the third set wire-to-wire. The turning point was when it led 12-9 and then used a 5-1 spurt to extend the advantage to 17-10. The Lady Braves made a late push and trimmed the deficit to 22-18 after a kill by Lewis, but the Delta Devilettes put it away on attacks by Selfridge and Tyler Caliste.
 
The Lady Braves were looking good early in the fourth and were up 11-6 after a block-assist by Thompkins and senior Alondra Rivera Modesto. However, MVSU answered with a 5-0 run to knot it up 11-11. Still tied at 15, the Delta Devilettes used a 6-0 spurt to jump in front 21-15. The frame ended on a kill by Chardea Berthelot.
 
The fifth saw MVSU up 9-6 early when Alcorn came back to tie it 9-9 on the serve of freshman Mariah Wilmoth. After the Delta Devilettes went back ahead 13-11, the Lady Braves evened it again after a kill by Barren and an MVSU attack error. Though, after the Delta Devilettes called timeout, they responded with a kill and a block to end it.
 
Alcorn is now 45-35 all-time against MVSU.
 
The Lady Braves will be back in action Friday when they return home to face Talladega College in a non-conference match at 6 p.m.
 
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