HATTIESBURG, Miss. | Jackson State volleyball showed flashes of strong offensive execution and continued to battle at the net Saturday as the Tigers competed against Lamar and Southern Miss at the Southern Miss Wellness Center.
The Tigers opened the day against Lamar before closing the doubleheader against host Southern Miss. Jackson State fell in straight sets in both contests, moving to 4-6 on the season following the day's action.
Jackson State vs. Lamar
Jackson State opened Saturday's action against Lamar, falling 25-15, 25-23 and 25-21. The Tigers finished the match with 27 kills, 51 digs and six total blocks while recording their strongest offensive set in the second frame with 10 kills and a .222 hitting percentage.
Shelby Zanders helped pace the Jackson State attack with eight kills on 17 attempts and just one error, producing a team-best .412 hitting percentage. Zanders also contributed two blocks and finished with 9.5 points. Hope Briggs matched Zanders with eight kills, hitting .278 while adding five digs and two block assists.
Naija Gadis and Kayla Troutman directed the offense with 10 assists apiece, while Gadis also contributed 12 digs. Giannelle Asomani added eight digs, four assists and Jackson State's lone service ace.
After dropping the opening set, Jackson State responded with its strongest stretch of the match in the second. The Tigers built a 19-12 advantage behind kills from Zanders, Briggs, Kyra Dove and Mackenzie Moore along with several Lamar attacking errors. Lamar eventually rallied, but Jackson State remained within striking distance before the Cardinals escaped with a 25-23 decision.
The Tigers again battled in the third set. After trailing 4-0, Jackson State worked its way back and eventually grabbed a 20-17 advantage. Zanders and Briggs provided key kills during the run before Lamar closed the set with an 8-1 stretch to secure the match.
Jackson State vs. Southern Miss
Jackson State returned to the court later Saturday to face Southern Miss and challenged the Golden Eagles throughout stretches of the match before falling 25-23, 25-19 and 25-20.
The Tigers made their biggest impact at the net, recording 11 total blocks on 22 block assists. Zanders led the offense with six kills on 16 attempts and only one error for a .313 hitting percentage while adding four block assists. Sophia McKenzie followed with five kills, while Jayla David and Parker Featherstone each contributed four.
Featherstone anchored the back row with a match-high 12 digs for Jackson State. Asomani added eight digs, five assists and the Tigers' lone service ace, while Gadis finished with nine assists and six digs.
Jackson State's best opportunity came in a tightly contested opening set. After trailing 23-18, the Tigers refused to go away. David helped spark the late push, and Jackson State scored five of the next six points to pull within 24-23 before Southern Miss finally secured the final point.
The Tigers continued to battle in the second set, using a four-point run to trim an 18-10 deficit to 18-14. Jackson State later pulled within three at 22-19 before Southern Miss closed out the frame.
Jackson State's blocking presence was especially evident in the third, when the Tigers recorded six blocks. The Tigers also put together a late push after falling behind, scoring four consecutive points with Southern Miss sitting at match point to make it 24-20 before the Golden Eagles closed the contest.
Inside the Numbers
• Jackson State recorded 54 kills, 94 digs and 17 total blocks across Saturday's two matches.
• Zanders totaled 14 kills across the two contests while hitting .412 against Lamar and .313 against Southern Miss.
• Briggs contributed 11 kills and six block assists over the two matches.
• Jackson State's defense at the net improved in the second match, with the Tigers recording 11 total blocks against Southern Miss, including six in the third set.
• The Tigers pushed four of Saturday's six sets to at least 20 points, including a narrow 25-23 opening-set decision against Southern Miss.
Up Next
JSU will travel to Lafayette, La. to compete in the Ragin' Cajun Classic. The Tigers are set to take on UT Arlington at 11 a.m. and Mississippi State at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
Follow Jackson State Athletics
For complete coverage of Jackson State athletics, follow the Tigers on social media at @GoJSUTigers (Instagram and X, formerly Twitter), Jackson State Tigers (Facebook), or visit the official home of Jackson State athletics at GoJSUTigers.com.
