BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Five Tigers were named to the 2025 SWAC Volleyball Preseason Team, the conference announced Wednesday morning. Jackson State was also picked to finish No. 2 in the league's predicted order of finish.

Leading the way for JSU is reigning Setter of the Year Karys Dove, who was named Preseason Setter of the Year and earned a spot on the All-SWAC First Team following an outstanding 2024 campaign. Dove appeared in all 31 matches, leading the SWAC with 705 assists while adding 210 digs, 38 aces, and 11 kills. She set a career-high with 42 assists against Prairie View A&M and enters 2025 with 1,739 career assists, closing in on another major milestone.

Senior outside hitter Jayden James also earned First Team All-SWAC honors after leading the conference with 415 kills and 467 points in 2024. She added 290 digs, 38 blocks, 21 assists, and an eye-catching 32 service aces (check: original text said 312 aces, which seems like a typo—likely meant 32). James capped the year by being named to the SWAC All-Tournament Team, helping the Tigers reach the championship match.

Sophomore middle blocker Kyra Dove rounded out JSU's first-team honorees. Dove appeared in 30 matches last season, tallying 142 kills, 76 total blocks, and 52 digs to anchor the Tigers at the net.

On the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team, junior outside/right side hitter Hope Briggs was recognized after a breakout 2024 season. Briggs played in all 31 matches, recording 235 kills, 75 digs, 61 blocks, and eight assists while posting a .257 hitting percentage.

Joining her on the second team is junior setter Naija Gadis, who surpassed 1,000 career assists last season. Gadis finished 2024 with 504 assists, 201 digs, 26 aces, and 21 kills, including a season-high 30 assists against Alabama A&M.

The Tigers will open the 2025 season on August 29 at the Southeastern Showdown in Hammond, La., taking on Louisiana Tech. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m.