TUESDAY'S SCORES
@Jacksonville State 3, Alabama A&M 0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-10)
@UT Martin 3, Southeast Missouri 1 (22-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-20)
JACKSONVILLE STATE 3, ALBAMA A&M 0
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The Jacksonville State volleyball team defeated the Alabama A&M Bulldogs for the second time this season on Tuesday night to remain undefeated at home inside Pete Matthews Coliseum.
In an outstanding night for the Gamecocks (13-5), senior Charis Ludtke tied her career high with five service aces against the Bulldogs. Another senior shined as Jennifer Hart finished a dig shy from a double-double with nine digs and 24 assists. Freshman Madison Cooler also had a great night against AAMU with seven kills, while junior Mackenzie Rombach led the team with 10 kills on a .300 hitting clip. Defensively, senior Hannah Kirk posted 12 digs and Rombach recorded five blocks as the Gamecocks held their visitors to an .011 attack percentage for the night.
JSU started out strong with the first two sets winning the first set 25-14, and the second 25-18. Jax State maintained a strong lead throughout the first game, and held off AAMU's late rally in the second as the Bulldogs tried to keep the pace. In the third set, the Gamecocks finished strong pulling away with a 25-10 victory to secure their fifth-straight home sweep.
Following the match, JSU head coach Terry Gamble stated that this was, "the best game we've played" and that he "couldn't be happier." Gamble also stated that their biggest strength as a team is their work ethic. A message that appears evident on the court, and creates high expectations for the rest of the season.
The Gamecocks will return to action on Thursday with a visit to Tennessee Tech to begin the first of four straight road matches to begin Ohio Valley Conference play.
UT MARTIN 3, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1
MARTIN, Tenn. - UT Martin defeated visiting Southeast Missouri in four sets (22-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-20) in both team's conference opener on Tuesday. With the win the Skyhawks improve to 7-7 overall while the Redhawks fall to 5-10.
Megan Fair led the Skyhawks with 11 kills and 13 digs. Jemima Idemudia also had 11 kills and hit .375 in the victory. Hayley Gray added 10 kills while Brooke Gyori had 12 digs. Kenzie Hinshaw dished out 29 assists while Kelly Lean had 20 assist and two services aces.
Krissa Gearring led the Redhawks offense with 18 kills and Mikayla Kuhlmann and Nzingha Clarke each chipped in 10. Nzingha Clarke also compiled six blocks and Krista Berns added five along with nine kills. Southeast Missouri setter Keegan Fornoff dished out 28 assists and Allie Henkelman had 16. Defensively, libero Ally Dion led the Redhawks with 14 digs.