CARBONDALE, IL --The Jackson State volleyball team split a pair on day one of the Saluki Bash defeating Southern Illinois and falling to Eastern Illinois in the second match of the day. The Tigers needed only four sets (29-27, 14-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-20) to defeat the host team, Friday morning on the road at Davies Gym.
In game one, the Tigers were led by a double-double from Alexis Williams, who registered 14 kills and 14 digs on the day. Hope Briggs also added 10 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Jayden James chipped in with 13 digs to go with six blocks from Jordan Jones.
Game 2
How It Happened
·      Jackson State (3-2) endured a back-and-forth first set to win 29-27 in a stanza that featured 12 lead changes and was tied 24 times.
·      Neither team led by more than two points in the match.
·      JSU also supplemented their offense with three aces in the opening set.
·      The Tigers fell in the second set 25-14, tying the match at a set apiece.
·      Jackson State fell behind on the first point and never took the lead before dropping the set.
·      JSU was able to put the second-set loss in the rear view mirror and took a 2-1 match lead with a win in the third set.
·      The Tigers took control of the set early when the score was 2-1 and held the lead the rest of the way to win 25-16.
·      Jackson State led by 10 points at 21-11 before finishing the stanza.
·      Jackson State's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Southern Illinois attacks in the stanza.
·      JSU kept the momentum, closing the match with a 25-20 set-four victory.
·      The Tigers took control of the set at 2-1 and never looked back.
·      Jackson State led by as many as six points at 24-18 before finishing off, totaling 17 kills in the set.
·      JSU also supplemented their offense with three aces in the set.
Inside the Numbers
·      Jackson State had three players in double figures in digs.
·      Jayden James finished with four aces in the win.
·      Alexis Williams registered a double-double with 14 kills and 14 digs.
·      JSU's attackers were helped by 23 assists from Karys Dove.
Game 2
Jackson State evened its record with a loss to Eastern Illinois Friday afternoon in its second match of the day. The Tigers fell 3-1 (17-25, 22-25, 25-21, 17-25).
The Tiger's attack was paced by Jayden James, who finished with 17 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .297, and Alexis Williams, who had 14. JSU got 11 digs from Trinity Bryant to lead them defensively.
How It Happened
·      The Tigers dropped the first set 25-17 despite a solid performance on the attacking side.
·      Jackson State registered a .375 attack percentage with 10 kills in the set loss.
·      A 25-22 second-set loss put Jackson State behind 2-0 in the match.
·      JSU dropped a back-and-forth set, losing in a stanza that featured five lead changes and was tied 10 times. Neither team led by more than three points along the way.
·      Jackson State avoided a sweep with a victory in set three to make it a 2-1 match.
·      The Tigers won the third set 25-21 when Jackson State was able to take the lead for good at 11-10 in a set that had just one lead change
·      JSU's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Eastern Illinois attacks in the stanza.
·      Jackson State couldn't keep the rally going and fell in set four 25-17 to drop the match.
·      The Tigers dropped the first point and never clawed back into the lead before losing the set.
Inside the Numbers
·      Naija Gadis had a team-high two aces in the loss.
·      Jayden James had a match-high 17 kills for Jackson State.
·      Jackson State attackers were helped by a team-high 19 assists from Karys Dove.
·      Kamiera Watkins added three blocks in the match.
Up Next
The Tigers will close out the Saluki Basket with a match up against Memphis on Saturday. First serve is set for 11 a.m.
