Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

TALLAHASEE, Fla. – Led by another outstanding performance by Alaya Rhodes, the Wildcats overcame a tough opening set, winning three straight to defeat Grambling State at Moore Gymnasium.

The Tigers simply had no answer for Rhodes, who finished with a season-high 24 kills while achieving an unbelievable .419 hitting percentage.
 

Bethune-Cookman (8-8, 4-2) did not get off to the start they were hoping for, falling behind 12-6 in the opening set. Grambling State (6-9, 3-1) went on a run of seven straight points to build a significant advantage.

The Wildcats were able to keep it close, but were unable to overcome the deficit. The Tigers hit .455 in the first set with just two errors to take a 1-0 lead.

B-CU quickly answered in the second set, taking an early 7-4 lead that they would never relinquish.

Grambling could not replicate its opening set success, hitting just .025 with just eight kills and seven errors. The Wildcats, meanwhile, had four blocks in the set, and finished with 17 kills.

In the third set, the Wildcats again built a significant advantage. A service ace by Moriah Johnson gave B-CU a 13-8 lead.

The Tigers slowly clawed their way back, cutting the deficit to just two at 22-20.  But, Sienna Lawrence came up big with two straight kills off assists by Nola Hemphill to extend the lead. The Wildcats would grab the final point on an attack error to take a 2-1 match lead.

Set four was completely dominated by Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats took an 11-3 lead and were able to cruise to a 25-15 set victory to finish out the win.

• Another game, another double-double for Alaya Rhodes. She now has seven on the season.
• Nola Hemphill tied her career high with 30 assists on the night.
• Aaniya Thornton recorded 12 digs and four assists.
• Talibah Hamlett had three block assists and one block solo along with six kills.
• No Tigers player was able to reach 10 kills.
• Asialin Powell had 24 digs for GSU.