PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Behind a season-high 20 kills from Courtney Carter and a season-best 34 digs from Tomoni Giddings, Alcorn State volleyball battled through five sets Sunday afternoon to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 3-2 (25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 15-11), inside H.O. Clemmons Arena.
The victory improved the Lady Braves to 5-19 overall and 5-9 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play, while the Golden Lions fell to 4-25 overall and 1-13 in conference action.
Competing in their fourth five-set match of the season, the Lady Braves prevailed in a tightly contested battle that featured multiple score ties and lead changes. Alcorn also recorded a season-high 71 digs, its most in a single match this season.
Carter led the offensive charge with her season-high 20 kills, seven digs and two blocks. Rylan Jones added 17 kills while hitting an impressive .412, and Giddings anchored the defense with her season-high 34 digs and three service aces. Daylin Saiki directed the offense with 28 assists, while Juliana Henao contributed 15 assists and two aces.
Alcorn finished the afternoon with 59 kills, 71 digs, 10 service aces and a .270 hitting percentage, holding Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a .173 hitting percentage.
Set-by-Set Recap
Set One | Alcorn 25, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 19
Arkansas-Pine Bluff jumped out to an early 5-1 advantage before Alcorn settled into its offensive rhythm. The Lady Braves battled back to tie the contest at 14 before taking control with a 6-1 run to build a 20-15 lead. Carter provided several timely kills down the stretch, and Jaylynn McNeill delivered the final block to secure the opening set, 25-19. Alcorn hit .355 in the frame.
Set Two | Alcorn 25, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20
The Golden Lions controlled much of the early action, building a 14-7 advantage. Alcorn responded behind strong serving from Kasey Watkins, who helped spark a rally that erased the deficit and gave the Lady Braves a 19-18 lead. Alcorn closed the set on a 6-1 run, with contributions from Jones, Cristin Webb and Alexis Burton, to claim a 25-20 victory and take a 2-0 match lead.
Set Three | Arkansas-Pine Bluff 25, Alcorn 23
Alcorn appeared poised to complete the sweep after building a 15-8 lead midway through the third set. However, Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with a 9-2 run to even the score at 17. The teams exchanged points late, with Alcorn holding a 23-22 advantage before the Golden Lions scored the final three points to take the set, 25-23.
Set Four | Arkansas-Pine Bluff 25, Alcorn 22
Arkansas-Pine Bluff carried its momentum into the fourth set, racing out to a 14-6 lead. The Lady Braves refused to back down, rallying to tie the frame at 17. Jones delivered key kills during the comeback, but the Golden Lions regained control with a late scoring run. Despite a late push from Carter, Arkansas-Pine Bluff secured the set, 25-22, forcing a decisive fifth frame.
Set Five | Alcorn 15, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11
With the match on the line, both teams battled throughout the final set. Alcorn held a narrow 10-9 advantage following a kill from Carter before Arkansas-Pine Bluff fought back to tie the score at 11. The Lady Braves responded with four unanswered points to close the match. Carter delivered two crucial kills during the final stretch, while Saiki added a service ace to help seal the 15-11 victory.
By the Numbers
Arkansas-Pine Bluff was led by Ashanti Butler, who finished with 17 kills, while Kinsley Hooper recorded 15 digs.
Up Next
Alcorn State returns to action Friday, Nov. 13, traveling to Montgomery, Alabama, to face Alabama State in its regular-season finale. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
