Box Score Texas Southern overcame an opening-set loss for the second consecutive match, rallying to defeat Alabama A&M 3-1 (18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 28-26) Sunday afternoon at the H&PE Arena in Southwestern Athletic Conference volleyball action.
Alabama A&M jumped out to a 10-4 lead to open the match and ket its foot on the gas as they opened an eight-point lead (16-8). However, TSU would regroup and narrowed the margin to 19-15 and 20-17 after Lacey Kusnier's kill but AAMU scored five of the next six to claim set one.
Set two was a stark contrast from set one for TSU as they stormed out to 10-5 lead. TSU was strong on both ends of the court from that point as they lead 14-7 after Morgynne McQueen's kill. AAMU responded with a 4-0 surge to trail 14-11 but McQueen once again came up big with three kills to spark a 5-0 run and a 19-11 margin. AAMU fought back and closed to within 20-16 but TSU closed out the set with a pair of service aces to win 25-17.
The third set was back-and-forth as AAMU led 17-15 before a pair of Lauren Battle kills sparked a 4-0 run and a 19-17 TSU lead. The Bulldogs fought back and moved ahead 21-19 but a pair of kills from Battle tied the set at 21-all. AAMU moved back ahead 23-22 but committed a service error which allowed TSU to knot it at 23-all. Aliyah Spencer recorded a service point for a 24-23 lead followed by Kusnier's kill to win set three 25-23.
The final set was a mirror image of set three as both teams were neck-and-neck until AAMU turned a 10-all tie into an 18-12 lead and eventually 20-13. TSU would slowly begin to chip away to regain momentum with an 8-2 run to draw within 22-20 after Battle's kill. AAMU moved ahead 23-20 but McQueen's kill and a huge block from Spencer cut the gap to 23-22. The Bulldogs forced set point after a service error but TSU battled back with a kill from Battle to force deuce.
AAMU moved ahead 25-24 after a block but Battle fought back and logged two straight kills for a 26-25 TSU lead. AAMU answered with a kill to continue to match and moved ahead 26-24 before Spencer's kill and an AAMU attack error closed out the match.
Battle led the Tigers offensively with a match-high 18 kills and 13 digs, recording a double-double while hitting .333. Morgynne McQueen and Ava Houston added 10 kills apiece, while Gracie Lee contributed nine. Kadence Davison directed the offense with 29 assists, followed by Ava Ray with 20 assists and 10 digs. Defensively, Keagan St. Junious collected a team-high 17 digs, while Lacey Kusnier added 14.
Texas Southern finished with a 58-48 advantage in kills and a 75-59 edge in digs. The Tigers also recorded a .205 hitting percentage compared to .168 for Alabama A&M.
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TSU is back in action on the road next Sunday against Grambling State at noon.
