Box Score Jackson, Miss.| Jackson State volleyball made quick work of Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday night, earning a straight-sets win (25–9, 25–16, 25–21) inside the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.
The victory marked the Tigers' fourth consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) win, improving to 6–11 overall and 5–2 in SWAC play.
Inside the Numbers
- Jackson State set the tone early with one of its most efficient offensive performances of the season, hitting .478 in the opening set and finishing with a .278 team hitting percentage for the match
- Setter Karys Dove led a balanced attack, dishing out eight assists and four service aces, while Naija Gadis added 14 assists and five digs.
- The duo orchestrated an offense that tallied 35 kills on 72 total attacks.
- Outside hitter Jayden James paced the Tigers with 11 kills, seven digs, and a service ace, while Makenzie Washington continued her strong play at the net with seven kills on .545 hitting.
- Middle blocker Kamiera Watkins was a force defensively, recording three solo blocks and four kills on a perfect hitting night.
- Defensively, Kymorah Carter anchored the back row with 10 digs, and Kyra Dove added six and a pair of solo blocks.
- JSU's front line totaled seven team blocks and held MVSU to a .000 hitting percentage, including a negative clip in the opening set.
How It Happened
- The Tigers jumped out fast behind Kyra Dove's opening kill and a 5–1 run fueled by James and Watkins.
- A strong serving stretch from Karys Dove, including an ace, extended the lead to 9–3.
- Makenzie Washington added back-to-back kills to push JSU ahead 15–6, and Jayden James closed the frame with her third kill to give JSU the 25–9 win.
- MVSU showed fight early, but Jackson State's offense stayed efficient.
- James, Gilbert, and Washington each notched key kills, while Zanders' service run sparked a seven-point surge.
- Cierra Gilbert connected on two consecutive kills late, and Makenzie Washington sealed the set with a right-side finish for the 25–16 victory.
- The third set was the most competitive, featuring several lead changes before JSU pulled away late.
- James posted four kills in the frame, while Watkins' block and Dove's two aces keyed a decisive 7–2 closing run.
- Katejion Robinson capped the match with a kill to secure the sweep.
Up Next
The Tigers will travel to Grambling State on Sunday to take on the GSU Tigers. First serve is at 2 p.m.
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