Memphis, TN — With intensity, poise, and grit, the Lady Yellow Jackets of Allen University stormed into Memphis for the SIAC West Crossover and wasted no time asserting themselves. Day 1 was a showcase of execution and resilience, as Allen Volleyball flexed its depth and dominance with back-to-back wins over Miles College and Kentucky State, setting a confident tone for the rest of the tournament.
DAY 1 – Making a Statement Early
Match 1 vs Miles College (3–0)
Set Scores: 25–18, 25–23, 25–19
The Yellow Jackets opened the crossover in commanding fashion, sweeping Miles College in straight sets. Junior Outside Hitter Tahmiah Lawson was unstoppable at the net, racking up a team-high 15 kills, setting the offensive tone early. In the middle, Saige Bradley continued to be a disruptive force with 6 blocks, consistently shutting down Miles' attack and proving why she remains one of the premier middle blockers in the SIAC.
Freshman Setter Alivia Pettit stepped into her own with a breakout performance, delivering a match-best 21 assists, while veteran setter Zyara Harrison added 14 of her own, showing the team's dual-threat versatility at the position. Defensively, Amaya Bernardo anchored the back row with 11 digs, helping secure the clean sweep.
Match 2 vs Kentucky State (3–1)
Set Scores: 14–25, 25–11, 25–22, 25–11
After dropping the opening set in lopsided fashion, the Lady Jackets flipped the switch — and never looked back. Behind the veteran leadership of Head Coach Danielle Robinson, Allen responded with a vengeance, dominating the next three sets to take down Kentucky State in emphatic fashion.
Senior Outside Hitter Maliyah Spencer came alive offensively with 13 kills, while Bradley continued to shine — notching 3 blocks and 4 service aces, disrupting Kentucky State's rhythm at every turn. Harrison ran the offense with surgical precision, finishing with a game-high 25 assists, and JaNiya Lamar held down the defense with a team-leading 11 digs.
DAY 2 – A Gritty Fight to the Finish
Match vs Central State (1–3)
Set Scores: 20–25, 15–25, 25–14, 16–25
After a high-energy Day 1, the Lady Yellow Jackets returned to action early Saturday morning against Central State. The slow start saw Allen drop the first two sets, but in true AU fashion, the team didn't fold.
Allen roared back in the third with a dominant 25–14 performance, showcasing their trademark grit and discipline. However, Central State regrouped and closed out the match in the fourth. Still, the Lady Yellow Jackets showed flashes of brilliance and resilience — even in defeat — highlighting the continued growth and fight within the program.
What's Next?
The Lady Yellow Jackets return to action on Tuesday, October 14, as they hit the road again to face Johnson & Wales University at 7:00 PM. With momentum on their side and lessons learned from every set, the stage is set for another breakthrough performance.
Not Just Competing — Contending
Allen Volleyball isn't just showing up — they're sending a message across the SIAC. The mix of experienced leadership, rising young talent, and an unwavering team culture has the Yellow Jackets buzzing into midseason with confidence, chemistry, and a hunger for more.
Coach Robinson's squad is locked in — and the conference is starting to take notice.
