TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Amber Bennett had 14 kills and Myla Marshall added seven as ASU defeated Stillman 3-0 (25-8, 25-21, 25-5) in Tuscaloosa.
The game went along the lines of the first time the two teams met in Montgomery on Oct. 8 when ASU won big in the first set, only to see Stillman hang around in the second set before putting them away late, and then blowing Stillman (10-14) out in the third and final set.
In tonight’s first set, the Lady Hornets only led 10-7, but ended the game on a 15-1 run for the pull away 25-8 win. In the second set ASU led 18-14, but Stillman came back to cut the lead to one at 19-18 and 20-19, before ASU pulled away late for the 25-21 win.
The third and final set was no problem as ASU jumped out 9-0 and never looked back in the 25-5 deciding set victory.
ASU (18-14) finished the game hitting .426 as a team with Bennett’s .765 leading the team. Marshall hit .400 and LaToya Ellington had six kills and hit .357.
Ellyn Jones had a game-high 21 assists while Luiza Griz added six digs. Bennett and Ellington each had two blocks in the win.
“We played well in spurts tonight, but I am not totally satisfied with the way we won,” Head Coach Penny Lucas-White said. “We let them hang around in the second set of the game instead of finishing. We have to begin to finish games when we have a chance. I am glad we picked up the win.”
ASU will now host their final three SWAC games of the regular season starting with Thursday’s game against rival Alabama A&M. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
“Our first goal of winning the SWAC East Division Championship begins Thursday against Alabama A&M,” Lucas-White said. “We have to prepare ourselves for a mental and physical challenge from A&M. They are a good team and we must be ready.”
