BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kentucky State defeated Claflin 3-0 in a semifinal match of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Volleyball Tournament on Friday to make a return trip to the conference championship match for the third straight season and the fifth time in six years.

The Thorobrettes will meet the winner of Claflin and Albany State in the conference final later Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. Central Time.

The win over Claflin was the Thorobrettes' fifth straight 3-0 win, but it did not come easily. Kentucky State pulled away for a 25-16 win in the first set but was pushed to the limit in the next two, winning 25-23 and 25-22 to take the match, which was a rematch of last year's conference championship game.

Micah Rogers led the way for the Thorobrettes with 15 kills and a .371 hitting percentage in the match, while Anjelique Kyle led all players with 31 assists, and Kiara Rivera had 15 digs. Tahje Ochs recorded eight kills and three blocks, while Payton Richardson added seven kills and four blocks.

The Thorobrettes will look for their fifth SIAC championship and fourth since 2010 when they take on the winner between Albany State and Claflin. As the team advancing from the winners' bracket of the double elimination tournament, Kentucky State can claim the conference championship with a win, but the opponent will have to beat the Thorobrettes twice.