WVB Tourney: Jackson State defeats No.1 seed ASU, 3-2
SWAC.org
BATON ROUGE, La. - With both teams playing their second match of the day, Jackson State (11-19) defeated No. 1 seed Alabama State 3-2 Saturday evening at the Horace Moody Complex.
Jenna Siddiqui produced 52 assists while Taija Thomas led the way with 22 kills and Passion Edmonson recorded 18 digs for Jackson State University. Tiara Kelly led the way for Alabama State with 12 kills. Ellyn Jones had 26 assists and Rachel Smith tallied 15 digs.
Alabama State set the tone for the first set, leading 3-0. Jackson State didn't waste any time before they answered, taking a 7-3 lead. An impactful kill from Rachel Smith cut JSU lead by three, 13-10. The Tigers showed no mercy as they responded right back, pushing their lead by seven, 17-10. They never let up and went on to capturing the first set of the match, 25-16.
The second set was a back and forth action for a while. The score remained close until Myla Marshall produced a striking kill that put the Hornets up by three, 9-6. ASU would quickly gain a six point lead (13-7) after several back to back errors from the Tigers. The Hornets never let up and went on to claim the second set, 25-17.
Briana Dorsey set the tempo for the third set with a massive kill right down the middle of the court. Rachel Smith followed with another kill, giving ASU a 5-2 lead. Jackson State quickly answered back, causing Alabama State several errors, taking an 8-5 lead, provoking Alabama State to take a timeout. JSU would soon progress the lead to 12-7. The Hornets would continue show heart as they cut the lead 20-18. After a service ace from Jamie Coleman, ASU took the first lead, 22-21. A huge kill from Marshall tied the score 24-24. Marshall scored the final point of the set with an obvious strike, to earn the Hornets the set victory, 26-24.
Jackson State earned the first point of the fourth set with an error from Alabama State. The score tied for the first time during the set, 9-9. The Tigers took a 17-11 lead after a kill from 6-1 freshman, Taija Thomas. Rachel Smith put too much behind a spike and gave JSU set point, 25-17.
The Tigers took an 8-5 lead in the fifth and final set. The Hornets fought hard to take the lead but Jackson State continued to keep the lead, forcing ASU to call a final timeout with the score being 12-7. JSU went on to win the final set, 15-7.
With this win, Jackson State heads to the semifinals to face the winner of Match 10 Sunday morning at 10 a.m.
Visit tournament central for more game day action.