STARKVILLE, MISS. — The Tigers (0-10) fought hard at the Hail State Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, and will prepare to enter SWAC competition this weekend at home.

Jackson State began the Hail State Invitational on Saturday morning with an 25-21 opening set win over the University of South Alabama Jaguars. The Tigers took advantage of an early dominant lead with the help of compounded mistakes by Jaguar offense, as nine of the first 11 points scored by the Tigers came from attack errors from the Jaguar hitters, and subsequently hit for an average of .206 in the opening set. South Alabama ultimately made key adjustments in the second set, and won the match with final scores of 25-15, 25-16, and 25-8. Olivia Flanagan led the Tiger offense against the Jaguars with 11.5 points on 11 kills and a block assist.

The Tigers then played a gritty and hard-fought match against a 10-1 Syracuse squad on Saturday afternoon, taking the opening set of the match with a final score of 25-20.  The team landed 18 kills, and hit for an average of .364. Syracuse won the match with subsequent set scores of 25-21, 25-12, and 25-19. Alexis Williams had a double-double, with 17 kills and 11 digs.

Jackson State wrapped the invitational up against the host institution of Mississippi State and lost 3-0. Olivia Flanagan and Damassy Thompson were named to the Hail State Invitational All-Tournament Team. Flanagan combined for 31 kills and 34.5 points with a hitting percentage of .308 at the Hail State Invitational, while Thompson recorded 96 assists.

Jackson State returns home for a big weekend on campus to start SWAC season on Friday and Sunday against FAMU and Bethune-Cookman in the Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center. First serve times are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.