MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Coach Rose Washington and her Jackson State Volleyball squad got off to a great start to the 2019 season on Friday, winning in thrilling fashion over the Delaware State Lady Hornets by a final of 3-1 in four sets.
The Hornets looked to be in control of the match from the beginning, winning set one 25-20, yet the Blue and White quickly settled in after having to wipe off some of the offseason rust to begin the season.
Falling 25-20 in set one quickly turned into cruise mode for the Lady Tigers, winning set two 25-23 to bring the match back to a 1-1 tie heading into the third set.
The Tigers continued to roll from that point on, winning set three 25-22 and then again in set four 25-22 to take the overall victory from the Hornets in a 3-1 matchup at the SWAC/MEAC Challenge.
The Tigers, who brought in nine total newcomers to the squad and returned nine players from a year ago had stellar games from a plethora of members.
Preseason First Team ALL-SWAC member Marina Bianchi Brito had seven total kills on fourteen attacks in all four sets played on the night.
Alexandra Burney and Jylen Whitten each had a stellar game to begin the season with Burney finishing second on the team in kills with 11 and a team second best 15 digs, while Whitten led the team with an impressive number of 19 kills and six digs.
Burney and Whitten had a total of 40 and 53 attacks, respectively. Camry Dabney ended the night with six kills and Madison Wolf had seven kills.
Damassy Thompson led all Tigers with 26 assists and a team third best eight digs. Alana Washington led the Blue and White with 20 digs against the Hornets.
DeKyra Dennis also played in all four sets, finishing second on the team with 24 assists to help aid the Tigers to the 3-1 win over Delaware State.
JSU will look to take care of business with hopes of earning wins number two and three tomorrow with matchups against South Carolina State tomorrow at 12 p.m. and Florida A&M at 7 p.m. in Montgomery, Ala. for day two of the SWAC/MEAC Volleyball Challenge.
To view the complete boxscore click here
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