MONTGOMERY, Al. – The ULM volleyball team started the season on a sour note with two losses on day one of play in the Alabama State Invitational. It dropped its' matches to Alabama State 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 28-26, 25-23), and Nicholls State 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-23).
 
In the first set of game one, the Warhawks found themselves in a 24-16. Despite an attempted comeback, they were unable to complete it and lost by five. In a close second set, ULM was in the lead for most of it. With the score at 20-17, it produced a 5-1 scoring run to tie the match 1-1.
 
From the start of set three, the Warhawks had the lead up until an attack error tied the game at 23-23. ULM reached set point with a kill from Ariana Brown, but another attack error from the Warhawks eliminated the chance. With the score at 26-26, two kills executed by the Hornets gave them a 2-1 set lead.
 
ULM once again gained control early in the fourth set and even held a 21-12 lead. But Alabama State flipped the script after an 11-0 scoring run and rode the momentum to a 3-1 match win.
 
The second match with Nicholls State was less competitive. The Colonels dominated the first set with a 10-point win. While the Warhawks made it close in the second and third set, Nicholls State still held on for the sweep.
 
Brown had double-digit kills in both matches, combing for 28 kills for the day. Morgan Howard led the team in assists in both games one and two with 19 and 23. Kailey Friedrich also had 17 assists in the first game, and Cameron Rogers was the leader in digs with 32 over the two matches.
 
ULM will look to rebound on Saturday when it faces South Carolina State at 10 a.m.