WVB Tourney: Alabama State 3, Jackson State 1
SWAC.org
JACKSON STATE 3, ALABAMA STATE 1
Box Score
BATON ROUGE, La. – Jackson State advanced to the finals of the 2015 SWAC Women’s Volleyball Tournament with a 3-1 (25-23, 15-25, 25-21, 25-23) win over Alabama State at the Clifford Seymour Gymnasium Saturday.
Jackson State opened the match with five unanswered points, forcing Alabama State into an early timeout. When play resumed, the game became a back-and-forth affair, with the Hornets gaining slight advantages through the course of the frame.
Down 21-18, The East No. 1 seed Tigers (14-21) responded with a 7-2 run to take the set.
The second set saw the defending tournament champion and East No. 2 seed Hornets (20-14) come out fast, as Alabama State scored six of the first seven points on its way to an early lead. Jackson State whittled down the deficit to four but was unable to make enough of a dent in the Hornets’ lead, and Alabama State held strong through the remainder of the set.
The Tigers jumped to an 8-3 lead in the third frame. Despite the Hornets’ efforts, the Tigers maintained the upper hand through the frame, leading by no less than three from that juncture in the contest.
Alabama State fell behind early in the fourth set, but fought back to take a slim lead that gave way to back-and-forth action on both sides. Eventually, Jackson State won out.
Taijia Thomas racked up 20 kills and three blocks for Jackson State. Jenna Siddiqui added 34 assists and Tyler Moorer added 17 digs. Mikayla Rolle notched 15 kills, and Alexsis Ford chipped in 14 kills.
Myla Marshall was the top attacker for the Hornets with 13 kills and four blocks. Amber Bennett added 10 kills – on a .500 attack percentage – and eight blocks. Kori Kutsch notched 37 assists and 10 digs.
With the win, Jackson State locks in its spot in the tournament championship. Alabama State will take on the winner of Texas Southern vs. Alabama A&M for the other spot in the finals.