Jackson State University

JACKSON, Miss. – Behind a balanced offensive attack and a dominant performance at the net, the Jackson State University volleyball team secured a 3-1 (31-29, 21-25, 25-17, 25-20) victory over Alabama A&M on Friday night inside the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

The Tigers improved to 13-13 overall and 9-4 in SWAC play, using an impressive .353 hitting percentage and 61 kills to power past the Bulldogs in a crucial conference matchup.

Hope Briggs led the offensive charge with a match-high 16 kills on an impressive .577 hitting percentage, committing just one attack error on 26 attempts. Kyra Dove followed with a stellar performance, recording 15 kills without an error on 19 swings for a remarkable .789 hitting percentage. Shelby Zanders added 10 kills while hitting .769, giving Jackson State three players in double figures.

Jackson State set the tone early in a tightly contested opening set that featured 11 ties. After building an early advantage, the Tigers found themselves trailing 29-28 late in the frame. However, JSU responded with three consecutive points, capitalizing on two Alabama A&M attack errors before Zanders delivered the set-clinching kill to secure a thrilling 31-29 victory.

The Bulldogs answered in the second set, overcoming a competitive back-and-forth battle to claim a 25-21 win and even the match at one set apiece.

Jackson State regained control in the third frame, using a strong defensive effort and timely offensive execution to pull away. After trailing 6-4, the Tigers responded with a 12-4 run to build a 16-10 advantage. JSU continued to apply pressure, holding Alabama A&M to a negative .069 hitting percentage in the set. Parker Featherstone provided a spark from the service line with two aces, helping the Tigers close the frame on a 6-0 run for a commanding 25-17 victory.

Carrying that momentum into the fourth set, Jackson State jumped out to an early 10-4 lead and never trailed. The Tigers maintained control behind the offensive production of Briggs and Dove, extending their advantage to 22-15 before holding off a late Alabama A&M push. A combined block from Briggs and Dove sealed the 25-20 set victory and the four-set triumph.

Defensively, Giannelle Asomani anchored the Tigers with a team-high 17 digs, while Ryleigh Davis added eight digs and five block assists. Davis also dished out a team-high 29 assists, while Naija Gadis contributed 26 assists to help orchestrate Jackson State's efficient offensive attack.

The Tigers finished with 55 digs and nine total team blocks while limiting Alabama A&M to a .195 hitting percentage. Jackson State also committed just 13 attack errors compared to the Bulldogs' 27, showcasing its offensive efficiency throughout the contest.

Inside the Numbers

• Hope Briggs led Jackson State with 16 kills, hitting .577 with three block assists.

• Kyra Dove finished with 15 kills, a match-best .789 hitting percentage and five block assists.

• Shelby Zanders recorded 10 kills on a .769 hitting percentage, adding five digs and four total block contributions.

• Ryleigh Davis distributed a team-high 29 assists, along with six kills, eight digs and five block assists.

• Naija Gadis added 26 assists to go along with four digs.

• Giannelle Asomani led the Tigers defensively with 17 digs.

• Parker Featherstone recorded both of Jackson State's service aces, adding six digs.

• Jackson State's team hitting percentage, compared to Alabama A&M's .195.

• The Tigers totaled 61 kills, three more than the Bulldogs.

• Jackson State recorded nine total team blocks.

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