Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 LAKE CHARLES, La.| The Jackson State volleyball team came out on top during the McNeese Invitational over the weekend adding two more wins to its record during the tournament. The Tigers opened the tournament with a win over Southeast Missouri Friday but fell to Sam Houston in five sets later that day. JSU closed out the tournament with a five-set victory over the host team McNeese State.

GAME 1-Southeast Missouri

How It Happened
Jackson State opened the match taking a tight first set 25-23. JSU grabbed the advantage for good at 21-20 in a set that featured 10 ties and six lead changes. The Tigers also supplemented their offense with three aces in the opening set. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked seven Southeast Missouri State attacks in the stanza.

In the second set, Jackson State put themselves on the cusp of a sweep with a 25-17 victory in set number two. The Tigers never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 12-11 in a set that showcased two lead changes before JSU took over the lead. Jackson State's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking seven Southeast Missouri State attacks in the stanza and capitalizing on 11 Southeast Missouri State attacking errors on the way to victory.

Southeast Missouri State avoided a sweep with a third-set victory to make it a 2-1 match. The Tigers fell in a tough set 25-19. Jackson State trailed by as many as six points as Southeast Missouri State grabbed the advantage for good at 18-17 in a set that was tied up three times before the Redhawks took over in the second half of the stanza.

Jackson State then dropped their second straight set 25-21 in the fourth to bring the match level at two sets apiece. Southeast Missouri State took the lead for good at 21-20 and Jackson State was never able to.

Jackson State needed a fifth set to win the match. After they won the first two sets, Southeast Missouri State responded to take the third and fourth sets before the Tigers finished off their victory with a 15-12 fifth-set win. JSU earned a set-five victory powered by a solid performance on the attacking end. Jackson State registered a .308 attack percentage with six kills in the set win. The Tigers opened up an 11-6 lead in the fifth set and coasted to victory from there.

Inside the Numbers
The Tigers were led by a double-double from Alexis Williams, who registered 16 kills and 25 digs on the day. Hope Briggs also added 13 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Trinity Bryant chipped in with 12 digs to go with seven blocks from Kyahana Robinson. Jackson State attackers were helped by a team-high 18 assists from Karys Dove. Dove also added two aces.
 
GAME 2-Sam Houston

How It Happened
The Tigers grabbed control of the set-one lead at 2-1 and never looked back to win 25-21. Jackson State led by as many as seven points at 22-15 before finishing off the set. JSU got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Sam Houston attacks.

Jackson State fell in the second set 25-15 to tie the match 1-1. JSU trailed by as many as 10 points as Sam Houston grabbed the advantage for good at 12-11 in a set that was tied up just once before the Bearkats took over the lead.

The Tigers put the second-set loss behind and grabbed a 2-1 match lead with a win in the third set. The blue and white scored first and never trailed in the set to secure a 25-19 victory. Jackson State opened up as much as a seven point lead at 23-16 before closing out the set, collecting 15 kills in the process. The Tigers offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza.

Jackson State couldn't finish off a four-set win as the Bearkats forced a fifth set with a 25-16 victory. The Tigers fell behind on the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before falling in the set.

JSU and Sam Houston went back and forth all game, trading wins in the first three sets until the Bearkats took the final two sets, including winning the fifth set 15-8, and the match. JSU fell behind on the first point and never took the lead.

Inside the Numbers
The Tigers were led by another double-double from Alexis Williams, who registered 15 kills and 13 digs on the day. Hope Briggs also added 15 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Trinity Bryant chipped in with 12 digs and three aces to go with three blocks from Briggs. Naija Gadis also completed 28 assists for the Tigers.
 
GAME 3-McNeese State

How It Happened
Jackson State (3-4) opened the first set taking a tight first set 25-23. Jackson State grabbed the advantage for good at 24-23 in a set that showcased four lead changes before the Lady Tigers took over in the second half of the stanza. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four McNeese attacks in the stanza.

JSU then dropped the second set 25-14, evening the match at a set apiece. Jackson State trailed by as many as 11 points as McNeese grabbed the advantage for good at 6-5 in a set that was tied up two times before the Cowboys took over the lead.

The Tigers then dropped their second set in a row, falling behind in the match two sets to one. JSU lost a tough set 25-17. Jackson State trailed by as many as 10 points as McNeese grabbed the advantage for good at 3-2 in a set that was tied up two times before the Cowboys took over the lead.

JSU broke their two set losing streak and forced a fifth set with a 25-15 victory in set number four. The Tigers scored first and never trailed in the set to secure the victory. Jackson State opened up as much as a 10 point lead at 22-12 before closing out the stanza, totaling 17 kills along the way. The blue and white got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked five McNeese attacks.

Jackson State clawed back from down 2-1 to win the next two sets, culminating in a 15-12 fifth-set victory, and securing the 3-2 win. The Tigers took the lead for good at 5-4 in a set that showcased three lead changes.
 
Inside the Numbers
JSU was led by a double-double from Alexis Williams, who registered 13 kills and 12 digs on the day. Nyjha Marcelin also added 16 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Trinity Bryant chipped in with 25 digs to go with seven blocks from Jordan Jones. Naija Gadis finished with 22 assists and an ace.
 
Up Next
The Tigers will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to compete in the TSU Tournament hosted by Tennessee State. JSU will face UC-San Diego Friday at noon and Tennessee State at 6 p.m. Jackson State will close against Belmont University Saturday at 10 a.m. The Tigers will open conference play Sept. 22 at home against Mississippi Valley State at 6 p.m.

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