MUNCIE, Ind. – Alabama volleyball closed its weekend at the Ball State Tournament Saturday with a four-set win over Arkansas State by set scores of 26-24, 22-25, 25-18 and 25-16.
The opening set between Alabama (5-4) and Arkansas State (5-4) came down to the wire, tied at 23-23 before the Tide reached set point twice and ended it on a Red Wolves attack error to win, 26-24. Arkansas State started set two on a 4-0 run and held the lead for most of the frame until a huge 8-0 run put Alabama ahead 21-20. The Red Wolves rebounded however to take the set, 25-22, and even the match. Tied at 7-7 in set three, a 6-2 run allowed the Tide to begin pulling away and maintain the lead for the remainder of the frame for the seven-point win. It was the same story in set four, as Alabama broke away after a 7-7 tie score to win, 25-16, and take the match.
For the second time this weekend, Kendyl Reaugh led the team in kills with a career-best 18, adding 13 digs for her third double-double of the season. Laila Smith was also in double figures with a career-high 10 kills, hitting .562 out of the middle and a team-leading five blocks. Brooke Slusser also finished with a double-double (41 assists, 12 digs) and Sami Jacobs was just one kill shy, finishing with nine with 11 digs. Sydney Gholson tallied a career-high five service aces, accounting for a third of the team’s season-best 15 aces at the service line.
Alyiah Wells was also named to the Ball State Tournament All-Tournament team, hitting .338 over the weekend with 32 kills and 16 blocks.
Notes
- With a .259 hitting percentage, the match marked the third time this season Alabama has hit above .250 as a team, holding a 3-0 record in those contests
- The 15 aces are a season high for the Tide, led by a career-best five from Sydney Gholson
- Kendyl Reaugh led the team with a career-best 18 kills, adding 13 digs for her third double-double of the season
- Laila Smith hit .562, led the team with five blocks and scored a career-high 10 kills
- Brooke Slusser’s 41 assists and 12 digs mark her first double-double of the season and fourth of her career
Stat Leaders
Set-by-Set
- Set 1: Alabama 26, Arkansas State 24
- Set 2: Arkansas State 25, Alabama 22
- Set 3: Alabama 25, Arkansas State 18
- Set 4: Alabama 25, Arkansas State 16
Up Next: Horned Frog Invitational (Forth Worth, Texas)
- Friday, Sept. 16 vs. Louisiana – 1 p.m. CT
- Friday, Sept. 16 at TCU – 7 p.m….
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