COLUMBIA, SC — Inside a packed John Hurst Adams Gymnasium, the energy was electric, the stands were camo-clad, and the action on the court was nothing short of cinematic.
The Lady Yellow Jackets of Allen University hosted archrival Benedict College for "Rumble in the Hive – Camo Night," and while the Tigers escaped with a 3–1 win (25–17, 25–20, 25-16, 25–21), it was Allen's resilience, grit, and crowd-stirring fight that turned heads and echoed a strong message: This team is built for battle.
Drama, Fight, and a Set for the Ages
After dropping the first two sets, the Lady Jackets found themselves backed into a corner — but that's when they did what they do best: respond.
With fans on their feet and momentum shifting, Allen came out swinging in Set 3 with one of their most dominant stretches of the season. Behind strong blocking, precision passing, and vocal leadership, they stormed to a commanding 25–16 win that had the Hive buzzing.
Set 4 became a tactical chess match. Both teams traded blows, runs, and highlight plays. Allen clawed back from early deficits, riding the wave of home-court firepower. But in a tightly contested finish, Benedict capitalized on late miscues and edged out the set 25–21 — sealing the match, but not silencing the Hive.
Senior Maliyah Spencer reached a career milestone, becoming the second player in program history and the first in AU's NCAA era to eclipse 1,000 career kills — solidifying her legacy as one of the most prolific attackers to wear the Navy and Gold.
Big-Time Performances in the Hive
• Maliyah Spencer paced the attack with 15 kills, showing her offensive range and relentless motor.
• Amaya Bernardo added 8 kills and served with aggression, while Zimora Owens provided 6 kills and steady defense.
• Saige Bradley held it down at the net with a game-high 5 blocks, making her presence felt on both ends.
• Zyara Harrision and Alivia Pettit combined for 37 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise under pressure.
• Naveah Baker was a defensive machine, leading all players with 22 digs.
What's Next?
The Yellow Jackets won't have long to regroup — they're back in action Sunday afternoon for another key conference matchup at home versus Edward Waters University.
With the SIAC Tournament just around the corner, this group is hungry, battle-tested, and ready to sting.
