ITTA BENA, Miss. - SWAC Player of the Year, Jylen Whitten, tallied 16 kills and seven digs in Jackson State's 3-1 first round victory over Texas Southern on Friday evening at the SWAC Tournament.

Jackson State cruised to a first set victory 25-11 to set the tone for the match. Texas Southern got one back in the second set, yet Jackson State proved they were a team on a mission over the next two sets, winning set three 25-23 and set four 25-14 to win 3-1.

Three Tigers finished with nine kills - Camry Dabney, Kanile'a Normura, and Marina Bianchi Brito. 

Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year Alana Washington had a team-high 17 digs.

Damassy Thompson put together an incredible night with 31 assists while DeKyra Dennis has 26 assists.

Jackson State awaits the winner of No. 2 Prairie View A&M and No. 7 Arkansas- Pine Bluff. JSU will go head to head with the winner tomorrow at 4 p.m. on the campus of MVSU.