JSU Media Relations
Katerri O’Neal Contributed
The Jackson State Lady Tigers Volleyball went into the Southwestern Athletic Conference on a 25 game winning streak to claim the university’s first ever SWAC Championship Title and an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament.
It was on Nov. 20, 2011 that volleyball history at JSU was made. The Lady Tigers finished the regular season with a record of 30-9 overall in the East. In their first game, JSU defeated the highly competitive Hornets of Alabama State University to move on to the championship game against the four-time SWAC Champion Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The Bulldogs played like they wanted to retain their title, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the skills of the Lady Tigers.
The win sends JSU on to compete in its first ever NCAA Volleyball Tournament. The NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Committee announced the 64-team field for the 2011 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. Thirty-one conferences were awarded automatic qualification, and the remaining 33 slots were filled with at-large selections to complete the bracket.
The top 16 teams were seeded nationally and placed within four regions. The teams tabbed as the top four seeds were No. 1 University of Texas at Austin; No. 2 University of Nebraska, Lincoln; No. 3 University of Illinois, Champaign; and No. 4 Iowa State University.
JSU will do battle with the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, Nebraska which has a record of 24-3, 17-2 in the Big Ten. Nebraska also heads into the tournament with its first Big 10 title. If JSU defeats Nebraska, they will compete for the right to move on to the Honolulu Regional the following weekend.
After dropping the opening set 25-21, JSU (29-9) rallied to take the next three 25-17, 25-21, 25-22. In the fourth set, A&M looked to be on the way to forcing a fifth and deciding set after jumping out to a 6-0 lead. But, with A&M leading 16-10, JSU went on an 11-3 run to take a 21-19 lead. The Lady Tigers never trailed again.
Chyna Coleman led JSU with 22 kills and nine digs. Christine Edwards and LaToya Clark both had double-doubles. Edwards finished with 17 kills and 14 digs while Clark had 55 assists and 16 digs. Donisha Dunn contributed 11 kills and Angelica Kelley joined Daedra Carline with 14 digs each.
“I believe every single player played to their fullest potential in the swac tournament. We were determined to win and we never gave up even when we were down. To be a swac champ is a great feeling. I personally felt fulfilled because we accomplished our ultimate goal. That day the emotions were definately shown and I was in complete shock for a while but I wouldnt trade that feeling for anything in this world,” said Coleman, a senior therapeutic recreation major from Phoenix, Ariz.
Karensa Beckford had a double-double tallying 18 kills and 10 digs. Ashley Forman also had double digits in both assists and digs with 29 and 10 respectively. Clairissa Moore finished with 13 kills while, Audrey Harris had 13 digs and Christa Rogers contributed 10 assists.
Edwards was named tournament MVP. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by Coleman and Clark. Beckford, Moore and Forman also made the All-Tournament team, while Maya Bell from Alabama State, along with Chanda Journet and JaQuincia Williams from Southern to round out the All-Tournament selections.
“I went to a few games to support them and was proud to see them make a big accomplishment this year and I congratulate the team on winning the SWAC Championship title,” said Ryan McCallister, a junior business administration major from Yazoo City, Miss.
“They have a good chance of winning even though they will be facing some of the best teams in the nation,” said Raphael Pridgen, a junior physical therapy from Chicago, Ill. Adding the the team should, “Believe in yourselves and don’t let anyone tell you, you cant win.”
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