Jackson State defeated Alabama A&M 3-1 (31-29, 21-25, 25-17, 25-20) on Friday night in Jackson, Mississippi, improving to 13-13 overall and 9-4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The Tigers recorded 61 kills and hit .353, while holding the Bulldogs to a .195 hitting percentage.
Hope Briggs led all players with 16 kills, hitting .577 with one attack error on 26 attempts. Kyra Dove had 15 kills without an error in 19 attempts, a .789 hitting percentage, and added five block assists. Shelby Zanders contributed 10 kills while hitting .769.
The opening set was closely contested, with Jackson State rallying from a 29-28 deficit to take it 31-29. The Tigers scored three straight points, including two Alabama A&M attack errors, before Zanders finished the set with a kill. Alabama A&M evened the match with a 25-21 win in the second.
Jackson State took control in the third after trailing 6-4, going on a 12-4 run to lead 16-10. The Tigers held Alabama A&M to a minus-.069 hitting percentage in the set and closed it with a 6-0 run for a 25-17 win. Parker Featherstone had both of Jackson State’s service aces.
The Tigers opened the fourth set with a 10-4 lead and stayed in front. After building a 22-15 advantage, they held off a late Bulldogs push. A block by Briggs and Dove secured the 25-20 set and the match.
Giannelle Asomani led Jackson State with 17 digs. Ryleigh Davis recorded 29 assists, six kills, eight digs and five block assists, while Naija Gadis added 26 assists. Jackson State finished with 55 digs and nine team blocks and committed 13 attack errors, compared with 27 for Alabama A&M.
Jackson State was scheduled to host Alabama State on Sunday for its final home match of the season. First serve was listed for noon.
