Jackson State University Volleyball team loses Mid-Week Match Up

Cameron Adams

Jackson State University Volleyball team loses Mid-Week Match Up.

Jackson State’s volleyball team fell to Louisiana Tech 25 -20, 21 – 25 and 25 – 22 on Oct. 5 at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

The mid-week match up was themed “Greek Night “, and the fraternities and sororities of Jackson State cheered on the Lady Tigers, following a dominant performance against Mississippi Valley State University. 

Jackson State’s middle blocker Naveah Bray opened the game with the first kill of the night, but the Techsters responded aggressively, forcing a 9-5 lead shortly after. 

Although the Tigers were trailing, they remained determined to cut the deficit. An ace served by freshman Karys Dove forced JSU to trail by one, 16-15. La Tech pushed through, ending the set 25-20. Dove also finished the game with 34 assists, a new season high. 

The second set was a grueling battle for the Tigers. Louisiana Tech opened the set with a 4-0 run, causing JSU to respond with a three-point run of their own. 

The Techsters remained aggressive and forced another run, pushing the lead to 11-4. 

Facing yet another large deficit, the Tigers were in need of a spark to keep hope alive. Bray claimed the spark they needed came from their bench unit and big time plays from their starters.

“Our bench had a huge role in picking us up and staying loud,” claimed Bray. “Also kills from Liv and Lex…allows us to have energy and still stay in the game ”.

Big time plays from Alexis Williams, Jordan Jones, Olivia Flanagan and Bray, rallied the Tigers to stay within striking distance of La Tech, 22-21. Williams, Jones, and Flanagan tied for the team high, racking up 9 kills each. Bray followed behind them with 7 kills of her own. 

Louisiana Tech’s tough defensive efforts allowed them to run away from the prowling Tigers, closing out the second set, 25-21.

The third set was a back and forth effort from both teams. 

La Tech opened the set with a huge run, but Jackson State wasn’t going out without a fight. They responded with a run of their own forcing several ties throughout the game. The persistence of the Tigers allowed them to lead for the first time since the first set, pushing the score to 15-14.