NASHVILLE, Tenn.| Despite falling in its first game of the day, the Jackson State volleyball team shook back to win the second game of the TSU/Belmont tournament Friday evening. JSU fell to UC San Diego 3-0 but topped Tennessee State 3-2 to even its tournament run.
 
How It Happened
Game 1: JSU, 0 – UCSD, 3
Jackson State (3-5) trailed by as many as 10 points in the opening set of the match. After the score was tied three times in the set, UC-San Diego (8-4) took the lead for good at 10-9. The Tigers fell in set one, 25-15.
 
Jackson State then lost set two 25-17 to fall behind in the match two sets to none. The Lady Tigers lost set two in spite of a strong performance on the attacking side. Jackson State put together a .321 attack percentage with 11 kills in the set loss.
 
JSU couldn't get past a certain scoring mark as the Tigers fell in set three 25-17 and UC-SD walked away with the sweep.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Nyjha Marcelin finished with nine kills on the day to lead the Tigers' offense.
• Defensively, JSU had two players reach double figures in digs as Marcelin had 13 and Trinity Bryant had 10.
• Karys Dove had a team-high two aces in the match.
• Jackson State attackers were helped by a team-high 17 assists from Naija Gadis.

How It Happened
Game 2: JSU, 3 – TSU, 2
Jackson State (4-5) got off to a 2-0 lead which included a service ace from Alexis Williams in the first set. Tennessee State (0-9) took a slight lead but JSU came back to tie the score at five with a kill from Nyjah Marcelin. TSU continued on with its lead taking a seven point lead over Jackson State. Tennessee State paced itself to the first set win, 25-20.
 
JSU came into the second set with its foot on the gas taking a 15-4 lead. Jackson State went on a 10-1 run to close out the second set and take the 25-8 victory. JSU registered eight kills and five aces in the set.
 
Jackson State took an 11-4 lead entering the third set capped by a kill from Jordan Jones. The Tigers cruised the rest of the way to a 25-16 third set win.
 
Tennessee State stood tall in the fourth set as it held a 14-7 advantage over JSU to open the fourth set. Jackson State attempted to close the gap, continuing to trail by four, 20-16. JSU couldn't recover as TSU forced a fifth set.
 
Williams set JSU up for the advantage putting down back-to-back kills to open the fifth set. Jackson State had a 10-5 lead as it closed in on the victory. JSU held Tennessee State to only two more points before sealing the match 15-7.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Alexis Williams finished with 13 kills, 15 digs and three aces for JSU
• Nyjah Marcelin followed with 11 kills and three assists
• Naija Gadis registered 22 assists and Karys Dove registered 17 assists
• Trinity Bryant led the defense with 24 digs
• Kyahana Robinson had seven blocks and five aces in the match

 
Up Next
Jackson State will return for day two of the tournament to face the other host team, Belmont. First serve is set for 10 a.m.

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