Montgomery, Ala.| The Jackson State volleyball team fell just short to Alabama State in a five-set thriller against Alabama State (17–25, 20–25, 25–22, 25–20, 15–17) inside Lockhart Gymnasium.
 
Jackson State mounted an inspired comeback after dropping the first two sets, winning the third and fourth frames behind a resurgent attack led by Jayden James, Hope Briggs, and Kyra Dove. The Tigers forced a decisive fifth set, but Alabama State held off a late rally to take the match 3–2
 
James turned in another stellar all-around performance, recording 13 kills, 19 digs, and a career-high eight service aces, while Briggs added 12 kills on .257 hitting. Dove anchored the middle with eight kills (.438) and four total blocks, and Karys Dove distributed 23 assists while adding five digs and a block.
 
Cierra Gilbert chipped in five kills and six digs, and Kymorah Carter contributed five digs and three aces from the service line. The Tigers hit .229 as a team with 58 total kills, while holding the Hornets to a .250 mark.
 
How It Happened

• Jackson State started strong but couldn't maintain momentum as Alabama State capitalized on early attack errors.
• Despite kills from Briggs, Gilbert, and Kyra Dove, ASU's Jyriah Morgan (17 kills overall) proved difficult to stop, helping the Hornets secure the opening set 25–17.
• JSU responded with sharper execution in the second frame.
• James sparked a 3–0 run with back-to-back aces and a kill, but ASU's six service aces in the set made the difference.
• The Tigers closed within 21–20 on a Hope Briggs kill before Alabama State finished with four straight points
• Jackson State stormed back in the third set with its best hitting performance of the night, swinging at a .353 clip.
• Briggs, James, and Katejion Robinson each tallied key kills as JSU closed the set on a 5–2 run.
• James served three straight aces to push the lead to 24–21 before Briggs finished the set with a kill from Karys Dove.
• The Tigers carried their momentum forward, using strong serving and blocking to even the match.
• Ryleigh Davis made an impact off the bench with 6 kills on .364 hitting, and Kymorah Carter delivered two clutch aces late.
• Jayden James' kill at 24–18 put JSU on the verge, and a service error by Alabama State sealed the frame, 25–20.
• The decisive fifth set was a back-and-forth battle that featured eight ties and multiple lead changes.
• Robinson and Briggs provided key kills as JSU rallied from down 13–8 to tie the match at 14–14.
• However, Alabama State's Kaylen Hines (13 kills, 6 blocks) tallied two of the final three points to lift the Hornets to a 17–15 victory.

 
Up Next
The JSU volleyball team will close out its regular season road slate with a visit to Alabama A&M on Sunday. First serve is set for 12 p.m.
 
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