Washington State swept Alabama St. in three sets to improve to 2-2 on the season (Photo: FILE / WSU Athletics)by WSU Athletics
The Washington State volleyball team hit an outstanding .516 to sweep Alabama State with set scores of 25-16, 25-9, 25-9 at the opening match of the Cougar Challenge Friday morning in Bohler Gym.
WSU, now 2-2 on the season, saw senior Rachel Todorovich have eight kills with no errors in nine attacks for a .889 hitting percentage and added four blocks. Marcelina Glab tallied nine kills followed by Jaicee Harris with seven kills and three service aces, and Ver'Leea Hardaway's six kills and match-leading six blocks. Camryn Irwin had 27 assists and Kate Sommer had nine digs.
Alabama State (0-5) was led by the three kills each from Amber Bennett, Anniiya Robinson and Chelsey Scott. Brooke Beasley had 10 assists and Erika Thompson had eight digs. The freshman-dominated Hornets squad hit -.053 for the match.
The Cougars had a slow start in the first set but got the wheels rolling and behind a .409 hitting percentage took a 25-16 win. Glad led the Cougars with five kills and hit .833 in the opener. Hardaway and Todorovich each tallied three blocks and held Alabama State to a .000 hitting percentage.
WSU soared to a .524 hitting percentage in the second set and used a balanced attack from Todorovich, Glab, Hardaway and Harris to take the 225-9 win. The Hornets hit -.087 in this set.
The third set was much like the second with WSU spreading the offense around the court and hitting .632 while holding Alabama State to -.074. WSU wins the third 25-9.
In remaining Cougar Challenge action Friday, Weber State plays Seattle U at 1 p.m. and then Alabama State at 5 p.m. while WSU hosts Seattle U at 7 p.m.
