ALBANY, Ga. (November 9, 2011) – After defeating Benedict College, Kentucky State moved on in the SIAC Tournament to play the home team, Albany State. The Thorobrettes took the court to play in front of a crowd almost entirely composed of Lady Rams’ fans. A win would secure the Thorobrettes a place in the championship game.
The first half of the game was a point struggle between the two teams until Coach Kyetta May called a timeout at 12-14, Lady Rams lead. The timeout was followed by 2 back-to-back kills by Audrey Sherles, and another kill by Emily Grieshaber, putting the Thorobrettes ahead 17-15. After losing possession, the Thorobrettes regained the serve, and Sherles delivered 2 more kills (20-15). The next 5 points were a bit of a hassle, but the Thorobrettes emerged with a win with a final set score of 25-19.
The next set started off similar to the tune of the first until the Lady Rams went on a 5 point rally that ended with a block by Grieshaber (16-12). The rest of the game became a scramble for points, each team was holding on for the win. The set went past 25 points, and ended with the Lady Rams taking the second set in the best of five with a score of 29-27.
In the third set Ayanna Parker ended the Lady Rams’ 4 point rally with a kill, and Jordan Foyer followed up with an ace to pull KSU within two (2-4). Then, the Brettes went on a 3 point rally including a block by Ashlie Jones and Foyer and an ace from Sherles (8-9). The lead kept changing sides until the Brettes went on another 3 point rally, this time including 2 kills from Sherles (18-15). A few points later Jones as able to stun the Lady Rams’ offense with back-to-back blocks (16-22). The Brettes then took the third set 25-18.
KSU went into game four hoping to finish the game. The Lady Rams had a 3 point rally early in the game, and took a 6-3 lead over KSU. The Brettes were later able to tie the score at 11 then took the lead (15-14) following a heart-stopping moment as Parker had to leave the game with a dislocated shoulder. After the injury the Brettes struggle to regain their momentum and fell to the Lady Rams (25-21).
Coach May had the task of reformulating her line-up to make up for her injured key player. The Brettes took the lead after a kill by Erica Coleman, a block by Jones and an ace from Grieshaber (7-5). Then, the Lady Rams got a side out, but only scored one point before a kill by Coleman gave the Brettes the side out and point. A short combat for points ended with a Brettes’ side out and consecutive aces by Jones (14-9). Sherles sealed the victory with an authoritative kill to win the game 15-9 and sealed the KSU victory 3-2.
KSU was led by Emily Grieshaber and Ayanna Parker with 16 kills each. Audrey Sherles had 11 kills, and Ashley Jones finished with 10 kills. Brittany Stewart tallied 53 assists. Markeshia Williams led the defense with 15 digs, as Jordan Foyer added 12 digs, and Stewart with 10 digs.
Sabrina Garcia led ASU with 21 kills; Sharma Ridley added 11 kills and 17 digs; and Jillian Anderson had 10 kills. Jennifer Johnson collected 36 assists to go along with 12 digs and Adrienne Morris ended with 17 digs.
The Brettes (22-17) will play in the championship game against Claflin, Benedict or Albany State at 3 p.m.
Diana Martinez
Office of Sports Information
Kentucky State University
(502) 597-6399
ksu.sid3@gmail.com
