HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Aug. 30, 2025)--Morgan State concluded the Betty Austin Invitational on Saturday morning with a hard fought, 3-2 (25-16, 25-18, 21-25, 21-25, 13-15) loss to Southern at Elmore Gymnasium.
 
Morgan State would wrap up the weekend going 1-2 against Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) foes, while Southern improved to 2-1.
 
Daniela Ferreira led three Morgan State players in double figures with a match-high 19 kills and added 12 digs to record a double-double. Hanna Nemeth also tallied a double-double, finishing with a match-best 19 digs to go with 10 kills. Jada Williams added 15 kills and Isabelle Brown notched a match-high and weekend-best 49 assists.
 
Southern was led by Arlana Brown, who finished with 14 kills and 10 digs to earn a double-double. Elise Doomes also had 10 digs and Jordan Felix had 23 assists.
 
The five-set thriller was the most competitive match of the tournament thus far. Meeting for just the second time in program history, Morgan would jump all over the Jaguars, taking a 2-0 lead heading into the third set.
 
Southern responded by winning the next two sets to even the match at 2-2 and force a fifth and decisive set.
 
With momentum on their side, and everything going their way, the Jaguars managed to build an 11-2 lead in Set 5, following a kill by Alana Pierce. That's when Morgan State regrouped to score the next five points in the midst of an 11-3 spurt to pull within 14-13 after four consecutive kills by Ferreira.
 
Unfortunately, Morgan State would not complete the comeback, as Southern's ???? ended any chances with a kill to give the Jaguars the 15-13 win in Set 5, along with their first win over Morgan State to even the series at 1-1.
 
A year ago Morgan State would play in a total of 10 five-set matches, going 2-8 in them.
 
Statistically, Morgan State dominated the match in nearly every fashion. The Bears held the advantage in kills (63-43), assists (58-35) and digs (64-56). Both teams were even in blocks at 5.0.
 
Southern, however, did hold the advantage in service aces, recording 10 to Morgan's seven. Morgan State was also hindered by 12 serving errors, while the Jaguars committed six.
 
Morgan State will return home to host the annual Morgan/Towson Invitational (Sept. 5-6) at Hill Field House. The Bears open up on Friday against Quinnipiac, before closing out the opening day against Stonehill. Morgan will then face Kent State to close out the tournament on Saturday.
 
BETTY AUSTIN INVITATIONAL STANDINGS - Final Results
Delaware State : 3-0 (Tournament champions
Alabama A&M: 2-1
Southern: 2-1
Morgan State: 1-2
South Carolina State: 1-2
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 0-3


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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
 
 
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