Hattiesburg, Miss. | The Jackson State volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision (18–25, 20–25, 16–25) to Southern Miss on Saturday evening at the Southern Miss Wellness Center to close out the Golden Eagle Classic.

Jackson State (1–9) battled throughout and showed strong stretches defensively, recording nine team blocks. The Lady Tigers were most competitive in the second set, rallying to tie the score six times and briefly holding a lead before Southern Miss closed on a late run.

Southern Miss (8–3) controlled the match offensively, hitting .239 with 41 kills and nine service aces. The Golden Eagles pulled away in the opening set and held off a late Jackson State push in the second before closing out the sweep in the third.

How It Happened

• Southern Miss jumped to an early 7–1 lead behind a pair of kills from Aubrey Judd and Sadie McAda in the first set.
• Jackson State responded with a 7–0 run featuring two service aces from Naija Gadis and a kill from Cierra Gilbert, tying the set at 10.
• USM regained momentum behind Elly Stewart's blocking presence and closed the frame 25–18.
• JSU struck first with a kill and ace from Jayden James to go up 3–1 in set two.
• The set featured six ties, with James leading the way offensively for the Tigers.
• Late in the frame, Southern Miss surged with kills from Lillie Johnson and Sadie McAda, sealing a 25–20 win.
• In the third set, the Golden Eagles used strong serving from Sunni Sheppard and consistent attacking from Stewart and McAda to build a double-digit cushion.
• Despite late kills from Hope Briggs and Gilbert, USM secured the win, 25–16.

Inside the Numbers

• Jayden James led the Tigers offense with 10 kills, and added digs and two aces.
• Hope Briggs added five kills and 2 blocks in the match.
• Cierra Gilbert finished with four kills and two blocks.
• Naija Gadis had seven assists and two aces in the game.
• Karys Dove registered 13 assists and two digs.
• JSU tallied 23 kills, four aces, and nine blocks, while holding Southern Miss to several extended rallies.

Up Next

The Tigers will open SWAC play on the road Friday evening. JSU will take on Florida A&M at 6 p.m.

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