The Lady Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman earned their first victory of the 2009 season on Friday Night at the ASU Hornet Invitational. B-CU faced off with tournament host, Alabama State at Lockhart Gymnasium on ASU's campus, winning 3-0, in games of 25-14, 25-23, and 25-23.

The Lady Wildcats opened the first game scoring first and never looking back, playing a focused game with a high scoring margin. B-CU finished the game with a season-high 11-point lead, winning 25-14. 

The Hornets of Alabama State played more like the home team in the second and third games, never allowing B-CU to gain a significant scoring advantage, keeping it within three points in both games. However, the Lady Wildcats stuck to their game plan and claimed victory in both games, 25-23. B-CU led from beginning to end in two of the three games of the match.

"It felt good to have the first win under our belt tonight against the host team," said Head Coach Vanessa Cogswell. "ASU came out with high energy and a nice home crowd behind them. The first game was the most consistent, as we had great passing and execution on offense. Our passing tonight was probably the best it's been all season as far as consistency throughout an entire match."

As a team, B-CU finished with 36 kills, with several Lady Wildcats getting in on the action. Chelle Ticeson led the team with nine kills and a .538 attack percentage, followed by Jessica Wilson with eight, Linda Nwabuko with seven, Kaiyana Johnson with six, and Krysta Gardner with four. A consistent presence in 2009, Daryl Rodriguez set up for the attacks all night, collecting 25 assists in the match.

Leading B-CU defensively, Shakhea Moore-Hagins and Krysta Gardner each chipped in  four digs apiece, followed by Shanicka Reddick with three, and both Wilson and Rodriguez with two digs each.

"What I'm most proud of tonight, is that the team played well together," said Cogswell, "and they stayed 'steady the course', keeping a high positive energy regardless of the close scores in the second and third games."

The Lady Wildcats (1-6) return to action Saturday morning at the ASU Hornet Invitational, taking on Mississippi Valley State at 10 a.m., followed by Alabama A&M at 2 p.m.