Troy Sweeps Alabama State Volleyball as Hornets Leave Trojan Invitational Still Searching for First Win

Alabama State struggles to slow Troy’s attack in a 3-0 loss, but Alexis Williams, Mikalah Davis and Mirra Riddle provide bright spots as the Hornets turn their attention to the Spartan Classic.

TROY, Ala. | Alabama State volleyball entered Sunday looking for a breakthrough. Instead, host Troy made sure the Hornets left the Trojan Invitational still searching for their first victory of the 2026 season.

The Trojans swept Alabama State in convincing fashion, 25-15, 25-15, 25-11, Sunday afternoon inside Trojan Arena, handing the Hornets their third consecutive loss to open the regular season.

Alabama State fell to 0-3, while Troy improved to 2-1.

The final numbers told the story.

Troy finished with 42 kills compared with Alabama State's 15 and outhit the Hornets .353 to .014. The Trojans also dominated from the service line with 12 aces compared with three for ASU.

Alabama State did hold an advantage at the net defensively, finishing with four team blocks compared with two for Troy.

Troy Takes Control Early

Alabama State never found the sustained offensive rhythm it needed to put Troy under significant pressure.

The Hornets produced a three-point run in the opening set with Taylor Williams serving, but Troy's attack proved too much to overcome.

The Trojans hit .560 in the first set, collecting 15 kills against only one attack error on 25 attempts.

That efficiency allowed Troy to seize control of the match early and force Alabama State to play from behind.

The Hornets attempted one final push late in the third set, putting together a four-point run with Emani Green serving while Troy sat on match point.

But there would be no dramatic comeback.

Troy finished the sweep and closed Alabama State's weekend in eastern Alabama without a victory.

Alexis Williams Provides Offensive Spark

Junior Alexis Williams led Alabama State offensively with five kills and a .231 hitting percentage.

Williams also contributed two blocks.

Mikalah Davis finished with three kills and delivered two of Alabama State's three service aces, recording them on consecutive serves during the first set.

Setter Kamrynn Clay accounted for 10 of ASU's 15 assists, while Mirra Riddle led the Hornets defensively with nine digs.

Those performances offered some positives on an afternoon largely controlled by the Trojans.

Alabama State Faces Early Test After 0-3 Start

An 0-3 opening weekend isn't how Alabama State envisioned beginning its regular season, but the Hornets have little time to dwell on it.

The early schedule has provided Alabama State with an immediate measuring stick.

ASU opened the Trojan Invitational with a straight-set loss to North Alabama before pushing Mercer to five sets Saturday. The Hornets won their first two sets of the season against the Bears but ultimately fell 3-2.

Sunday was a statistical step backward, as Troy controlled the match from beginning to end.

Now the challenge for Alabama State is turning those early-season struggles into development.

That could be particularly important for a program integrating a dramatically different roster in 2026.

A New-Look Alabama State Team Must Find Its Identity

This isn't simply another Alabama State roster.

The Hornets entered the season with 15 newcomers, including 10 transfers, creating an early challenge for longtime coach Penny Lucas-White as she works to establish chemistry and consistency.

There is proven talent to build around.

Clay returned after earning SWAC Setter of the Year and All-SWAC first-team honors, while Kaylen Hines entered the season as a returning All-SWAC first-team middle hitter.

Alabama State was projected to finish fifth in the SWAC preseason poll.

That means expectations remain for a program accustomed to competing within the conference.

But before SWAC play becomes the primary focus, Alabama State has work to do.

Next Stop: Spartanburg

The Hornets will have their next opportunity to change the trajectory of their young season at the Spartan Classic in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Alabama State is scheduled to face:

• UNC Wilmington — Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.
• West Florida — Sept. 4 at noon
• USC Upstate — Sept. 4 at 4 p.m.

All three matches are scheduled for the G.B. Hodge Center on USC Upstate's campus.

For Alabama State, the objectives will be straightforward: improve offensive efficiency, limit opponents' scoring runs, become more effective in serve-receive, and find lineup combinations capable of producing consistent points.

The Hornets didn't get the result they wanted in Troy.

Now comes their opportunity to respond.

Three matches into a long season, Alabama State's story is far from written.

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-- By Amelia Nettles

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