Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Alaya Rhodes earned her tenth double-double of the season, leading the Wildcats to a four-set  victory over Southern at Moore Gymnasium.

Bethune-Cookman finished 4-1 during its five-game homestand and sit third in the SWAC standings as postseason play begins to draw closer.
 

Bethune-Cookman (11-9, 7-3) had no trouble in the opening set of the game, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead and holding on for the set victory.

Southern (7-13, 3-4) narrowed the gap to one after back-to-back attack errors made it 15-14. But another 6-0 spurt from the Wildcats put the set out of reach.

B-CU again led early in set two, with a Kaleigh Williams service ace making it 7-4. The Jags fought to tie the game at 10 before the Cats went on another run.

A 9-1 scoring burst, including five kills from four different Wildcats, effectively closed it out, making it 2-0 B-CU.

Southern flipped the script in the third set. It was the Jaguars who began the set with the lead, scoring the first six points.

The Wildcats slowly climbed their way back into it, finally tying the game at 17 following a kill by Talibah Hamlett.

Ultimately though, it was the Jaguars who came out on top despite sloppy play from both sides. Despite leading 22-20, B-CU failed to finish, as Southern took advantage of three attack errors to make it 3-1.

Set four began much better for the Wildcats, as they were able to build a 12-6 lead. Southern had answers though, quickly tying the game at 13 after a 7-1 run.

Three straight points from B-CU would give them a small cushion, which would turn out to be the margin of victory at the end of set four. The Jaguars could not overcome their 10 errors, as the Wildcats picked up win number 11 on the season.

• Alaya Rhodes now has ten double-doubles on the season. She led the team once again with 23 kills and 18 digs.
• Moriah Johnson also had a double-double, her second of the year. She recorded 12 kills and 10 digs.
• Nola Hemphill was the third Wildcat with a double-double on the afternoon with 27 assists and 10 digs. She now has six this year.
• Talibah Hamlett finished with six blocks, tying a season-high.
• The Jaguars hit just .109 as a team. They won the third set despite hitting .068.
• Moriah Mott had 14 kills for the Jags.