CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. | Jackson State volleyball delivered a strong all-around performance Saturday morning, defeating UT Martin, 3-1, at the Winfield Dunn Center.
The Tigers opened the match with back-to-back set victories, taking the first set 25-20 before cruising to a 25-18 triumph in the second. After UT Martin answered with a 25-21 win in the third set, Jackson State responded emphatically in the fourth, closing out the match with a 25-16 victory.
Jackson State's offensive attack proved to be a major difference-maker. The Tigers recorded 50 kills on 136 attacks and finished the match hitting .206, while also producing 13 service aces and eight team blocks. UT Martin finished with 45 kills, four aces and six blocks.
Sophia McKenzie led the Tigers with 18 points, contributing 11 kills, six service aces, eight digs and a block. Hope Briggs added 14.5 points behind 12 kills on 23 attacks (.391) and three total blocks.
Parker Featherstone chipped in 12.5 points with nine kills, while Shelby Zanders finished with 7.5 points, six kills and a block. Jada Constanza added seven kills and eight points, and Jayla David recorded five kills, two blocks and 6.5 points.
Naija Gadis orchestrated the Jackson State offense with 25 assists, while Kayla Troutman contributed 18 assists. Giannelle Asomani provided a spark in multiple areas, finishing with 16 digs, five assists and two service aces.
The Tigers established control early in the opening set. McKenzie opened a run with three consecutive service aces, helping Jackson State build an early advantage. Later in the set, Briggs, McKenzie, Featherstone and Constanza each delivered key kills as the Tigers maintained control and secured the 25-20 win.
Jackson State carried that momentum into the second set. The Tigers jumped ahead early, with Briggs registering two kills during the opening stretch and McKenzie adding an ace. Asomani then closed the set in style, recording consecutive service aces before a UT Martin attack error gave Jackson State the 25-18 victory.
UT Martin fought back in the third set, using a late scoring surge to claim the frame 25-21. Jackson State, however, answered immediately in the fourth.
After a tightly contested opening stretch, the Tigers began to pull away. Gadis sparked the decisive run with a kill and service ace, and McKenzie followed with another ace before Featherstone and Briggs delivered consecutive kills. Jackson State eventually pushed its lead to 23-15 and closed the match when Gadis set McKenzie for the final kill.
Jackson State's serving was particularly effective throughout the match, as the Tigers produced 13 aces compared to four for UT Martin. The Tigers also limited UT Martin to a .143 hitting percentage while committing fewer service errors.
With the victory, Jackson State improved to 2-1, while UT Martin fell to 0-3.
The Tigers' combination of offensive balance, aggressive serving and timely defense provided the difference as Jackson State closed out a convincing 3-1 victory.
Up Next
The Tigers will head to Florence, Ala. to compete in the North Alabama Tournament. JSU will take on North Alabama and UT Martin Friday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
