Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

ORANGEBURG, S.C. –  A dominant opening set for the Wildcats set the tone for the remainder of the match, as Bethune-Cookman was able to finish off a 3-1 (25-10, 25-20, 20-25, 26-24) victory over South Carolina State at Dukes Gymnasium.

Bethune-Cookman (4-6) opened the match with an impressive start, jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the opening set. Laura Lino dos Santos sparked the run with a strong serving stretch that included an ace, while Alaya Rhodes added a pair of kills during the early surge.

The Wildcats continued to control the opening frame, extending their advantage to 18-4 following a kill from Leila Hargrove. South Carolina State (3-10) responded with a 4-0 run, but Bethune-Cookman quickly regained control and closed out the set, 25-10, taking an early 1-0 lead.

South Carolina State answered in the second set, taking an early 5-2 advantage before Bethune-Cookman began to chip away at the deficit. The Wildcats eventually pulled even at 16-16 after a service ace from Lino dos Santos and pulled ahead after completing a 5-0 run.

The Bulldogs were unable to recover, and B-CU would win the set after a SCSU setting error. Overall, the Wildcats scored 16 of the set's final 22 points to take the 2-0 advantage.

South Carolina State responded with their backs against the wall in the third set. The Wildcats took a 6-1 lead and looked to have all the momentum on their side. But the Bulldogs were able to claw their way back, tying the set at nine and eventually taking a 15-12 lead.

SCSU held a 17-14 advantage late in the set, but Bethune-Cookman continued to battle. Kills from Rhodes and Leila Hargrove helped the Wildcats close the gap, and B-CU eventually pulled within two at 20-18. However, the Bulldogs were able to hold on, scoring five of the final seven points to force a fourth set.

Bethune-Cookman jumped out to a commanding 10-0 lead in the fourth set, quickly pushing shifting the momentum back on their side. Nola Hemphill served through the entire opening run, which included kills from Rhodes and Kaleigh Williams as well as multiple South Carolina State attack errors.

The Bulldogs responded with a 12-2 run to erase the deficit and tie the set at 12-12. The two teams then traded points throughout the remainder of the frame, with South Carolina State taking a 21-18 lead.

Bethune-Cookman refused to let the match end, scoring four consecutive points to tie the set at 22-22. Williams delivered a kill and a service ace during the rally, while Sienna Lawrence also added a kill.

South Carolina State briefly regained the lead at 23-22, but the Wildcats tied the score again at 23-23. After the Bulldogs took a 24-23 advantage, B-CU would score the final three points to clinch the match, including a kill and a service ace by Rhodes.

• B-CU opened the first set and the fourth set with a 12-0 run.
• Bethune-Cookman recorded 40 kills on 135 attacks and hit .156 as a team.
• The Wildcats recorded 9.0 total team blocks, with Talibah Hamlett leading the way with three.
• Alaya Rhodes led the Wildcats with 10 kills and 20 digs.
• Kaleigh Williams finished with seven kills, six digs and a .312 hitting percentage..
• Talibah Hamlett recorded five kills on nine attacks without an error, hitting .556.
• Nola Hemphill led B-CU with 15 assists and added 11 digs.
• South Carolina State recorded 41 kills and hit .025 as a team.
• The Bulldogs recorded 11.0 team blocks.
• Carra Pierre-Louis led South Carolina State with 12 kills and eight digs.
• Arianna James led the Bulldogs with 20 assists.