Alabama A&M 3, Southeast Missouri State 1
Georgia State 3, Alabama A&M0

Alabama A&M (1-2) posted a 3-1 (17-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-19) victory over SEMO (0-3) on the final day of the Memphis Invite. Senior rightside hitter Karensa Beckford posted a double-double in the match for the Bulldogs with a team-high 18 kills and 14 digs while setter Ashley Forman chipped in one of her own with 30 assists and 11 digs. Five SEMO players posted double-digit digs, and sophomore outside hitter Colleen Yarber tallied 15 kills as one of three Redhawks to post double-digit putaways.

A&M was fired up to start the match and scored the first three points of set one while quickly running out to a commanding 14-8 lead. But A&M hitting errors allowed SEMO climb back in it with seven straight points. The momentum shift got the Redhawk offense going, and the Bulldogs simply had no answer. SEMO closed out the set, 25-17, outscoring A&M 17-3 in the process. Brittney Kalinoski tallied six kills in the set for the Redhawks while hitting .667.

In a repeat of set one, the Bulldogs grabbed the early lead in the second frame with a strong attack. This time, however, A&M kept the pressure on and built a solid 22-15 lead. Back-to-back kills from SEMO's Holly Reynolds sparked a 4-0 spurt for the Redhawks, but it was too little too late as the Bulldogs posted a 25-19 win, hitting .500 for the set.

With each team owning a set, the third frame was a battle from the start. All tied up at 16, Beckford was finally able to spark A&M with a cross-court kill that led to a 4-0 run. The cushion proved to be the only opening A&M needed as the Bulldogs held on for another 25-19 triumph.

Sensing victory on the horizon, the Bulldogs stepped on the gas from the start of set four and refused to let SEMO even sniff a lead. Trailing 22-13 and staring at defeat, the Redhawks were able to reel off five straight points but would come no closer as A&M recorded yet another 25-19 win.

The Bulldogs wrapped up the Invite with a 3-0 loss to Georgia State Saturday afternoon. Beckford was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts.

Jackson State 3, Chattanooga 2
Southern Miss 3, Jackson State 0

The Jackson State women's volleyball team rebounded nicely on the second day of the Southern Miss Invitational by beating the Chattanooga Mocs 3-2 (17-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-13, 15-11).

With the win JSU improves to a 1-1 record for the season. Jackson State recorded 52 total kills on 139 attacks. The Lady Tigers also recorded 11 service aces and 68 digs. Christine Edwards recorded a game high 19 kills and Chyna Coleman followed with 15 kills. Edwards also led the Lady Tigers with four aces. Daedra Carline led JSU's defensive efforts with 21 digs.

Jennifer Kuroski led the Mocs with 16 kills and Paula Passmore finished with a game high 27 digs.

JSU wrapped up the Southern Miss Invite with a 3-0 loss to the host Golden Eagles. Edwards was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts.

Jackson State will return to action Aug. 30 traveling to Hammond, LA to face Southeastern Louisiana in non-conference action.

Austin Peay 3, Alabama State 0

The Alabama State University volleyball team's fortune didn't fair to well as they dropped a 3-0 decision to conclude their play in the Hampton Inn Bama Bash. Austin Peay picked up the victory with the scores of 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 Saturday morning.

Maya Bell led both teams, with 15 kills while hitting .216 percentage. Collectively ASU tallied 44 digs and setter Ana Pego topped 29 assists.

"Overall I felt we were getting better the more we played this weekend," commented head coach Penny Lucas-White. "These games showed me that we will practice this week with intensity and condition better, so that we will be well conditioned when playing. If we don't learn we don't get better and we need to get better in our zone."

The Lady Hornets went back and forth with the Lady Govs, until Austin Peay utilized a late four-point run to gain advantage over the Lady Hornets in the first set of the match. They capitalized on the Alabama State serving problems for the 25-16 win.

Set two for the Lady Hornets found them trailing by seven early. Alabama State rallied for five straight points to cut the lead (22-16). Austin Peay went on to score back-to-back points to go ahead and capture the victory in set two.

With worn legs Alabama State tried to pull themselves together in set three, but just couldn't find their wind allowing the Lady Govs to take a 7-2 advantage. Austin Peay continued its run until ASU found its momentum rallying for five straight points to narrow the gap to four (16-20). The Lady Govs pulled away and closed out the game 25-19 taking the 3-0 victory over the Lady Hornets.

The Lady Hornets will return to the court Tuesday, August 30 for a match against Troy, in Troy, Ala. The first serve is set for 7 p.m.