TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Southern University volleyball is championship-bound for the first time since 2014 after powering past Alabama State in a 3–1 victory in the SWAC Semifinals on Saturday afternoon inside the Al Lawson Center. The Lady Jaguars won by scores of 23–25, 25–17, 25–22 and 25–20 to secure their place in the 2025 SWAC Volleyball Championship match.
 
The opening set saw Southern come out aggressive, with Ariana Brown establishing herself early on the pins. The Lady Jaguars (16-16) built a small mid-set cushion behind back-to-back kills from Brown and strong back-row play from Najah Harris. Alabama State (14-16), however, countered with a late 6–2 run to erase Southern's lead. Despite tying the frame at 23–23, Southern couldn't withstand the Hornets' final push, dropping the set 25–23.
 
Southern responded emphatically in the second set, seizing control from the outset. Setter Jordan Felix directed the offense with precision and turned the tide with a momentum-shifting 8–0 serving run that forced Alabama State into repeated errors. Brown continued her efficient scoring, while Zaria Nelson and Sophie Diouf took advantage of quick-tempo sets to extend the margin. Southern's block tightened up late, allowing the Lady Jaguars to dominate the frame 25–17 and even the match.
 
The third set proved to be the turning point, featuring long rallies and momentum swings on both sides. Nelson delivered several timely kills to halt Alabama State's pushes, and Sereniti Johnson added steady production in the middle, finishing the set with critical transition kills and a perfectly placed tip to give Southern separation. Felix's defensive presence helped keep rallies alive as she collected multiple digs during a key 5–1 scoring burst. Southern controlled the final points to win 25–22 and take a 2–1 match lead.
 
Riding that momentum, Southern played its most composed volleyball of the afternoon in the fourth set. Brown elevated her performance once again, attacking in rhythm and keeping the Hornet defense off balance. Diouf's three service aces in the match loomed large in the final frame as her pressure created havoc in Alabama State's passing lanes. Johnson added four assists and several crucial digs, while Harris continued to anchor the back row. With the set tied 18–18, Southern closed on a decisive 7–2 run, punctuated by a final kill from Brown to seal the 25–20 victory and punch the program's ticket to the title match.
 
Brown led the way with 22 kills on .439 hitting, 10 digs and two service aces—her seventh double-double of the season. Felix turned in one of her most complete performances with 44 assists, 12 digs, two aces and three blocks. Nelson added 14 kills, while Johnson finished with seven kills, seven digs and four assists. Diouf contributed eight kills on .385 hitting, three aces and three blocks. Harris delivered a standout defensive performance with a match-high 23 digs and an .880 passing efficiency. As a team, Southern totaled 58 kills on .304 hitting with 61 digs and 6.0 blocks.
 
With the semifinal victory, Southern advances to the 2025 SWAC Volleyball Championship, positioning the Lady Jaguars for an opportunity to claim their first conference title in 27 years.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will take on eighth-seeded Florida A&M at 1:30 p.m. CT on SWAC TV.

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