HOUSTON - Texas Southern struck first but Bethune-Cookman would answer back in a big way to claim a 3-1 decision on Thursday night at Barnett Stadium Fieldhouse.
Bethune-Cookman took control of set one early as they stormed out to an 8-3 advantage but TSU regrouped and went on a 9-4 run to tie it at 12-all following Alexus Austin's kill. Bethune-Cookman answered with a 4-0 spurt to regain the lead but once again TSU would fight back via Alexis Austin as she rallied the team back with three kills and a service ace as TSU tied the set at 19-all.
BCU would regain a 23-20 advantage and had TSU's backs against the wall until a late Tiger rally led by Jada Hall's three kills gave TSU a 24-23 advantage. With an opportunity to close out the match, TSU committed an attack error and sent the contest into deuce point at 24-all. Both teams would go back-and-forth until a late kill by Austin and an Alyssa Chuidian service ace closed out the set 28-26.
After an emotional first set, TSU would hang tough to open set two but became unglued midway through the set with several attack errors coupled with an aggressive BCU offense. Down 20-12, TSU would fight to get back within five points at 21-16 but lost momentum with a pair of attack errors to end the set.
Set three would start with an 8-0 run by BCU to set the tone early. TSU would draw within 8-2 but never recovered after the slow start as the Wildcats ran away to claim a 25-12 margin.
BCU opened set three with a 9-3 advantage but TSU narrowed the gap to 9-5. However, that would be the closest the Tigers would get as BCU pulled away en route to a 25-17 win.
Jada Hall led TSU with 13 kills while Atira Jells had 10. Breyanna York had 36 assists followed by 12 digs from Valencia Grayson. BCU was led by Jordan Jefferson's 14 kills and Ryleigh Taylor's 27 assists.
Both teams are back in action tomorrow evening at Fort Bend Austin High School in Sugar Land. First serve is at 6:30 p.m.
Print Friendly Version
Courtesy: TSU Athletics