ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Southern University volleyball team continued its midseason surge with another impressive showing on Sunday afternoon, sweeping Mississippi Valley State 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-19) at the Harrison HPER Complex to extend its winning streak to five matches.
 
The Jaguars (11-12, 6-3 SWAC) carried their recent momentum into Itta Bena, controlling the pace throughout the afternoon behind efficient offense and strong all-around defense. Southern hit .267 as a team, their third straight match over the .250 mark, while holding the Devilettes (3-15, 0-10 SWAC) to a .068 hitting percentage.
 
Outside hitter Ariana Brown led the way once again, delivering a standout performance with 12 kills on a .375 clip while adding 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. She was a steady presence on both sides of the ball, sparking Southern's offense early and providing key kills in each set.
 
Zaria Nelson continued her hot stretch at the net, tallying a team-high 12 kills and seven digs while hitting .222. Bailee St. Romain added seven kills on .333 hitting, and Jordan Felix kept the offense humming with 34 assists, six digs, and two block assists in another one of her balanced performances of the season.
 
Southern's serving pressure and defensive organization proved to be major difference-makers. The Jaguars totaled six service aces, including two apiece from Brown and Elise Doomes, and limited Valley's side-out rhythm throughout the match. Libero Najah Harris anchored the back row with a match-high 15 digs, helping Southern out-dig the Devilettes 50-36.
 
The opening set saw Southern withstand a late Valley rally before closing it out 25–22 on a Nelson kill. The Jaguars found another gear in the second, dominating from the first serve and hitting an efficient .433 with 15 kills to only two errors. Their 85 percent side-out rate in the frame kept the Devilettes off balance, as Brown and St. Romain combined for eight kills in the set.
 
In the third, Southern maintained its poise after a brief Valley push, using steady play from Felix and Harris to regain control. Consecutive kills from Brown and Nelson pushed the Jaguars ahead 21–18 before a service run from Felix sealed the match, 25–19.
 
UP NEXT
Southern wraps up the Mississippi road trip at Jackson State on Monday with first serve set for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on SWACTV.

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