Photo by Kelci Boyd
Kelci Boyd
Staff Writer
As the SWAC Western Division Cluster Two started this weekend on Oct. 29, families of Jackson State students came to see the spectacular Jackson State Volleyball team compete.
Tiger fans were excited to see the women compete in multiple competitive games. The Tigers defeated Prairie View A&M Panthers and Texas Southern Tigers.
Last year, entering the 2022 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Volleyball Tournament, the Jackson State volleyball team has secured the #4 seeds. The Lady Tigers finished in the SWAC with a record of 15-1.
They have returned and are prepared to defeat any foe.
Jackson State started the game off strong and continued throughout all three sets. After taking the opening point, the Tigers never looked back, winning the opening set 25–20.
After leading by as much as 9 points at 21–12, Jackson State closed out the set with a total of 20 kills. In the second set, Jackson State improved on their victory in the first by winning 25-21.
In a set that saw just one lead change before the Tigers took control in the second half of the stanza, they never trailed by more than five points and took the lead for good at 20-19.
Throughout the set, the Lady Tigers connected at a 300 clip. They did not cave in at the first sign, even when Texas Southern was down in front of the crowd. The third and final set began, Texas Southern started off strong, but couldn’t hold on tight.
After winning the third set, JSU swept the match, winning against Texas Southern 3-0. With a 1-0 advantage, the Tigers won the set 25-16 and never looked back. Before closing up the set with 15 kills, Jackson State jumped out to an 11-point lead at 24–13.
Overall, Jackson State improved to a 12-9 record and 8-3 in SWAC play after the conference victory. Jackson State had a great offensive showing, recording 50 kills during the game.
In the victory, Alexis Williams recorded a match-high 15 kills and two aces. Also, Naija Gadis had a match-high 22 assists, which aided Jackson State offensive players.
Jackson State sophomore student Taylor Carson expressed her feelings towards the game.
“It was a very, very, good game. I love how Jackson State are big dawgs with anybody and we are going to keep being big dawgs after the game. Go Tigers!”
Sophomore Xavier Thomas expressed his about the win.
“It was a pretty good game. I came a little late, but they did their thing out there. He goes on to They did there 1-2,” said Thomas.
Hope Briggs was a standout during the match.
“I think yesterday’s games went really well. I think my team and I did a really good job supporting and encouraging each other to come out with two big wins to move us up in the SWAC standings. I’m very satisfied with my performance yesterday. I just need to make sure to continue to build and carry that on to today’s game vs. Southern,” said Briggs.
On day two of the SWAC West Cluster, the Tigers defeated Southern University 3-0.
The team will match-up with Bethune-Cookman on Friday, Nov. 3.
