MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Jackson State Tigers continued their hot streak Saturday evening, winning back to back games at the SWAC/MEAC Volleyball Challenge with wins over South Carolina State and Florida A&M.
A year ago, the Tigers did not earn win three on the season until September 21, 2018 in a 3-1 win over Texas Southern. That win at the time put the Tigers at 3-12 on the season before going on to finish the year at 11-25.
Through three games thus far this season, the Tigers own a perfect 3-0 overall record after sweeping through the SWAC/MEAC Volleyball Challenge.
What essentially took 28 days a year ago, in getting to three wins, took a matter of 24 hours to accomplish over the weekend.
That is good news for Coach Washington and the young revamped Lady Tigers who began the weekend with nine returners and nine newcomers, as they aspire to get back to championship form, a feat that has not happened at Jackson State since the 2016 season.
On Saturday, the Tigers took care of business in a 3-0 win over South Carolina State, winning set one 25-11, set two 25-9, and again in set three 25-18.
That win only carried more momentum into the evening matchup with FAMU, as the Tigers quickly took care of business in the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-19.
Yet FAMU, who had taken down Alabama State in its previous game that day, was not going to roll over lightly without swinging back in the competition.
The Lady Rattlers responded over the next two sets, with their own pair of set wins (26-24; 25-18) to force a fifth and match deciding set.
Despite giving up losses in the previous two sets, the Blue and White did what they had been doing best all weekend, and that was win.
And they did just that, yet again, as JSU went on to win the final points 15-8 to take the win and begin the season 3-0.
The Tigers will have Sunday and Monday off from competition, yet will have to quickly turn around after the long labor day weekend for the first home game of the season on Tuesday (Sept. 3) at T.B. Ellis for a 6:30 p.m. matchup with Northwestern State University.
KEY PLAYER STATS
GAME ONE
Alexandra Burney: KILLS (6) DIGS (7)
Jylen Whitten: KILLS (10)
Marina Bianchi Brito: KILLS (5)
Damassy Thompson: ASSISTS (18)
Alana Washington: DIGS (16)
GAME TWO
Alexandra Burney:KILLS (18) DIGS (15)
Jylen Whitten: KILLS (9) DIGS (17)
Marina Bianchi Brito: KILLS (14) DIGS (2)
Damassy Thompson: DIGS (8) ASSISTS (30)
Alana Washington: DIGS (19) ASSISTS (6)
DeKyra Dennis: DIGS (9) ASSISTS (21)
Camry Dabney: KILLS (7) DIGS (9)
SOCIAL MEDIA
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