CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Jackson State volleyball defeated UT Martin 3-1 Saturday morning at the Winfield Dunn Center. The Tigers took the opening two sets before UT Martin responded in the third. Jackson State finished strong in the fourth to secure the win.
Jackson State opened the match with back-to-back set wins, 25-20 and 25-18. The Tigers hit .206 for the match, recording 50 kills on 136 attacks, and added 13 aces and eight blocks. UT Martin finished with 45 kills, four aces and six blocks.
Sophia McKenzie led Jackson State with 18 points, including 11 kills, six aces, eight digs and a block. Hope Briggs added 14.5 points on 12 kills with a .391 hitting percentage and three blocks. Parker Featherstone contributed 12.5 points with nine kills, and Shelby Zanders had 7.5 points, six kills and a block. Jada Constanza added seven kills and eight points, while Jayla David finished with five kills, two blocks and 6.5 points.
Naija Gadis directed the offense with 25 assists, and Kayla Troutman added 18. Giannelle Asomani made an impact defensively with 16 digs, five assists and two aces. Jackson State established control early in the first set, with McKenzie opening a run through three consecutive aces. Key kills from Briggs, McKenzie, Featherstone and Constanza helped secure the 25-20 win.
The Tigers carried momentum into the second set, jumping ahead early. Briggs had two early kills, and McKenzie added an ace. Asomani closed out the set with consecutive aces, sealing a 25-18 victory. UT Martin fought back in the third, winning 25-21 after a late rally. Jackson State responded in the fourth, pulling away after a tight start. Gadis sparked a decisive run with a kill and ace, and McKenzie followed with another ace. Featherstone and Briggs then delivered consecutive kills to push the lead to 23-15, sealing the match when Gadis set McKenzie for the final kill.
Jackson State’s serving was a key factor, producing 13 aces compared to four for UT Martin. The Tigers also held the Skyhawks to a .143 hitting percentage and committed fewer service errors. The victory improves Jackson State’s record to 2-1, while UT Martin drops to 0-3. The Tigers will compete next in the North Alabama Tournament, facing North Alabama and UT Martin on Friday in Florence, Alabama.
