BIRMINGHAM, AL – A well-timed timeout provided the necessary motivation as the Kentucky State University volleyball team rebounded from a slow start to post a straight-set win over East Division champion Albany State in the second round of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Monday at the Birmingham Crossplex.

KSU advances to the winners bracket semifinals 2 p.m. EST Tuesday against West Division champion Spring Hill. The Badgers won both meetings this season.

Kentucky State struggled hitting early, however, head coach DiShondra Goree's message with the Thorobreds trailing 15-10 in the first set was well received. The team started to build momentum and scored nine of the last 10 points to claim the victory.

The Thorobreds scored 12 of the last 15 points of the second set to put them on the brink of victory, and then sealed the win by scoring six straight in the middle of the third set. Albany State had a couple of brief spurts, but nothing to really challenge KSU.

For the second straight match, sophomore Robin Poole (Katy, TX) led the team with 11 kills, while sophomore Spenser Parks (Louisville, KY) and freshman Mariah Peachey (Liverpool, OH) finished with nine kills each.

Sophomores Amanda Moore (Caddo Mills, TX) and Gabriella Gracia (Trullia Alto, Puerto Rico) dished out 18 assists each. Freshman Alliyah Williams (Sugar Land, TX) recorded 18 digs in the victory.