MONTGOMERY, Ala. — South Carolina State volleyball battled through three matches at the ISTAP Invitational, showing competitive stretches despite dropping contests to Alabama State, Nicholls and Miami (Ohio).
The Lady Bulldogs opened tournament play against host Alabama State and pushed the Hornets through four competitive sets before falling 3-1. SC State captured the opening set 25-23 and battled Alabama State to a 30-28 decision in the second before dropping the final two sets 25-15 and 25-23.
Amani Hawkins led SC State with 10 kills, while
Ki'ra Wright added nine kills and 11 digs.
Jordan Dalland finished with a team-high 19 digs,
Arianna James recorded three service aces and the Lady Bulldogs totaled seven aces and 68 digs.
SC State returned to the court later Friday against Nicholls, falling in three sets, 25-17, 25-14 and 25-16. Hawkins again paced the offensive attack with five kills, while
Taelyn Graham and
Jade Robinson added four kills apiece. Graham hit a team-best .429, and Robinson finished at .250.
Macey McCoy handed out 12 assists and collected nine digs, while Wright also finished with nine digs.
The Lady Bulldogs closed the Invitational Saturday against Miami (Ohio), dropping a 3-0 decision, 25-13, 25-18 and 25-11. SC State showed its strongest offensive production in the second set, recording 13 kills with only four errors for a .273 hitting percentage. Hawkins and Wright led the Lady Bulldogs with seven kills each, while
Kenna Harris added six. McCoy directed the offense with 16 assists and eight digs, and
Chloe Neal contributed two service aces.
Despite the three setbacks, SC State received contributions throughout its lineup and showed its best fight in the four-set battle against Alabama State. The Lady Bulldogs leave Montgomery with a 2-8 overall record as they continue preparations for the next portion of their 2026 schedule.
