Albany, GA — The second day of the SIAC East Crossover was a tale of two matches for Allen University — and how this young, resilient squad responded after a tough loss spoke volumes.
The day opened with a 3-0 setback against a seasoned Spring Hill College team, but the Lady Yellow Jackets didn't flinch. Instead, they locked back in and delivered one of their most complete performances of the season with a commanding 3-0 sweep of Tuskegee University, capping off the crossover with a 3-1 overall record and serious momentum heading into their next stretch.
Game 1: Cold Start vs. Spring Hill (0-3 Loss)
The morning match saw the Lady Jackets struggle to find rhythm against Spring Hill, who jumped out early and maintained control throughout.
Despite the slow start, there were bright spots on Allen's stat sheet:
- Paige Bradley and Maliyah Spencer each finished with 6 kills, continuing their consistent impact up front.
- Naveah Baker fired in 3 aces to try and spark a comeback.
- Zyara Harrison was steady as ever with 14 assists.
- Defensive standout JaNiya Lamar added 8 digs to hold the line.
It was a wake-up call — and Allen didn't just answer… they roared back.
Game 2: Swarming Tuskegee in Dominant Sweep (3-0 Win)
Game two was an entirely different story. With urgency and purpose, Allen came out swinging — and never let up.
- Set 1: Allen set the tone early, taking it 25-18.
- Set 2: A Masterclass. The Lady Jackets held Tuskegee to a season low 12 points, showcasing elite execution, tempo, and team synergy.
- Set 3: Allen shut the door with a smooth 25-14 victory.
The stat leaders were electric:
- Helena Inman led all hitters with 7 kills, controlling the front line.
- Saige Bradley and Tahmiah Lawson were dominant two-way threats, each recording 6 kills and 2 blocks.
- Maliyah Spencer added 2 crucial blocks, anchoring the defense.
- Zyara Harrison continued to shine as a court general with a game-high 16 assists and 4 aces.
This was the version of Allen Volleyball that turns heads — aggressive, connected, and playing championship-level volleyball.
After four games in two days, the Lady Yellow Jackets finished with a strong 3-1 crossover record, showing that they can adapt, grow, and dominate against conference competition.
Next Up: Road Test vs. South Carolina State
After the grueling tournament stretch, Allen Volleyball now takes the confidence of a successful crossover back to Columbia, preparing for a tough road matchup against South Carolina State on October 1, 2025.
The energy is shifting. The culture is building. And if the SIAC wasn't paying attention before — they are now.
