HUNTSVILLE – The Jacksonville State volleyball team ran its win streak to a season-high four games Tuesday night with a (27-25, 25-20, 25-9) victory at Alabama A&M.
 
It wasn't easy, but JSU (11-11) fought through some mistakes in the early sets, before pulling away late to drop AAMU (3-17) for its third straight sweep.  
 
Sophomore Allyson Zuhlke, fresh off being named the Ohio Valley Conference's Offensive Player of the Week, set a new season best with 17 kills to lead the JSU attack. Fellow sophomore Charis Ludtke followed with 14.
 
In a milestone night, senior Emily Rutherford finished with nine kills. It was her fourth put away that gave her 1,120 for her career, moving her into 10^th on the school's all-time career kills list passing Shari Weyer (2003-06). Continuing the theme, sophomore Jennifer Hart finished the night with 33 assists, pushing her career total over 2,000. She becomes just the 10^th Gamecock setter in program history to eclipse the 2,000 mark.  
 
"I'm really pleased for Emily (Rutherford) moving into the top 10 on the school's kills list," said head coach Terry Gamble. "That's a great accomplishment, and I hope she continues to play really well."
 
"The same goes for Jennifer (Hart). To have 2000 assists in just a year and a half, that's a big complement to our hitters, our digs and of course, Jennifer."
 
Sophomore Hannah Kirk led the way of the defensive side with 11 digs while Rutherford and freshman Ashley Clingan each had 10.
 
The first set was tight the entire way. A 4-0 run put JSU ahead, 13-9, at one point, but that would be the largest lead for either side. AAMU tied the set at 17 and later led 21-19 and 25-24, before a pair of clutch comebacks saved the opening set for the Gamecocks. Rombach and Ludtke combined for a critical block at set-point for A&M, tying the frame at 25. JSU went on to take the set, 27-25.
 
The second set was much like the first as the team went point-for-point for most of the game. JSU called for time trailing 11-8. An 8-2 run out of the break forced the Lady Bulldogs to use a timeout of their own with the Gamecocks out front, 16-13. Some mental errors by the visitors including an open service ace and four touches, pulled A&M back into the game. Like in the first set, the Gamecocks came on strong at the end breaking a 20-20 tie and taking the final five points of the set.
 
With a 2-0 match lead, the Gamecocks finished the match with their most complete frame of the night in the third. JSU jumped out a 7-2 advantage, which would quickly extend into double digits. A .583 attack percentage powered JSU to a 25-9 win in the final frame.
 
"I thought we started slow in games one and two," said Gamble. "We weren't very crisp, but we found a way to win, and we talked about that at intermission. I liked how we came out and took control in the third game."
 
JSU remains on the road this weekend returning to OVC play in Nashville, Tenn. Jax State plays Tennessee State Friday night, then faces Belmont on Saturday afternoon.