ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Alayah Rhodes led the Wildcats with a 10 kill, 11 dig double-double as B-CU cruised to a 3-0 (25-9, 25-17, 25-22) victory over South Carolina State. The win capped off a strong 3-1 stretch to close out non-conference play, with SWAC competition set to begin next week.
Bethune-Cookman (4-6) began the first set with a dominant 7-1 run, fueled by kills from Alayah Rhodes and Sienna Lawrence. The Wildcats continued to add on to their lead, and ultimately took the first set with ease, 25-9.
B-CU finished with 11 kills, zero attack errors, and hit a dominant .611 while holding the Bulldogs (3-11) to a -.148 hitting percentage.
The second set was tightly contested early on, as both teams exchanged the lead multiple times. After SCSU tied the set at 12 apiece, the Wildcats went on a 7-0 scoring run to take control. Alayah Rhodes had a kill, while Kylynn White picked up two service aces during the stretch.
The Bulldogs were able to pull back within five, but B-CU was able to hold on for the set victory. Moriah Johnson closed out the set with back-to-back kills to put the Wildcats up 2-0.
SCSU started off strong in the third set, taking an early 5-2 lead. But the Wildcats slowly clawed their way back, eventually tying the game at 14 after a service ace by Kaleigh Williams.
The Bulldogs moved ahead again 18-16 and maintained a narrow advantage as both teams traded points. But Bethune-Cookman came up with the run they needed, scoring six of the set's final seven points to finish out the 3-0 win.
Alayah Rhodes recorded kills on the final two points to cap off another outstanding performance. The Wildcats finished set three with 14 kills compared to just six for the Bulldogs.
- Alayah Rhodes finished with her second straight double-double, leading the team with 10 kills and 11 digs.
- Nola Hemphill had a team-high 15 assists and Kylynn White managed 13 of her own.
- Bethune-Cookman finished with seven service aces, the second-highest total of the season.
- Leila Hargrove and Talibah Hamlett each had three blocks.
- The Wildcats finished with just 11 attack errors, their lowest total of the season.
- Carra Pierre-Louis led the Bulldogs with eight kills.
- B-CU held SCSU to a 0% hitting percentage.
Southwestern Athletic Conference play opens for Bethune-Cookman next Friday against Alabama A&M. The Wildcats host the Bulldogs at Moore Gymnasium, with the match set to begin at 6 p.m.
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--#HailWildcats--
