TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ The Tuskegee volleyball team put together one of its most complete performances of the season on Monday night, sweeping Rust College 3–0 inside the Daniel Chappie James Center.
The Golden Tigers won by set scores of 25-15, 25-13, and 25-17, showcasing balance on both ends of the court while limiting the Bearcats to just 16 total kills in the match.
Tuskegee set the tone early in the opening frame, jumping out to a 9–4 advantage behind kills from
Lauren Canady and
Jordyn Jones.
The Golden Tigers extended the lead as the set moved along with a balanced attack, before closing the set on a 10–3 run capped by kills from
Najwa Williams and
Kayla Coleman to take it 25–15.
The second set was more of the same, with Tuskegee jumping out to a 7-2 start following a service error from Rust. The Bearcats held within three points later in the set, however Tuskegee remained strong, taking the second 25-13.
Breunna Crawford led TU in the frame, earning five kills and a dig in set two.
The game was closer in the third set, as the teams' traded points over the first 11, seeing Tuskegee hold a narrow 6-5 lead early. The Golden Tigers went up 12-8 later in the set after a kill from Canady and went on to stretch the lead to 10 at 20-10 after another attack error from Rust.
The Bearcats made a late push, outscoring Tuskegee 7-5 over the last stretch, however the Golden Tigers finished the match with a service ace from
Chloe Edwards, winning the third 25-17.
Crawford and Williams led all players with eight kills each, while Canady added seven kills and Coleman chipped in five. Setter
Mikea Allen controlled the offense with 14 assists and added six digs, while Edwards anchored the defense with a team-high 14digs, followed by freshman
Jasmine Brantley with 10 in the win.
As a team, Tuskegee hit .212 with 34 kills and just 13 errors, compared to Rust's -.034 hitting percentage with 16 kills and 19 errors. The Golden Tigers also held a commanding edge in digs (51–40) and service aces (18–3).
With the victory, Tuskegee improves to 4-1 on the year and remains unbeaten at home. The Golden Tigers will return to the Chappie James Center on Tuesday night for another non-conference matchup against Claflin at 6 p.m.
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www.goldentigersports.com.
