Southern University

BATON ROUGE, La. — Southern University volleyball dropped a four-set decision to Jackson State, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Horace W. Moody Intramural Sports Complex.
 
The Lady Jaguars (6-13, 3-4 SWAC) fell 25-20 in the opening set before responding with a 25-19 victory in the second to even the match. However, Jackson State (9-11, 5-2 SWAC) regained control with a 25-16 win in the third set and closed out the match with a 25-19 decision in the fourth.
 
Mariah Mott led Southern's offensive attack with 13 kills and added four block assists to finish with 15 points. Alyssa Williams contributed eight kills while Sereniti Johnson recorded six kills and 12 digs. Braelynn Reese added five kills and five block, helping the Lady Jaguars finish with eight total team blocks.
 
Southern struggled to find consistency offensively throughout the match, finishing with 42 kills and a .150 hitting percentage. Jackson State recorded 60 kills while hitting .304 and totaled seven blocks.
 
Jackson State established the early advantage in the opening set, using an efficient offensive performance to secure a 25-20 win. The Tigers recorded 18 kills while hitting .359, putting pressure on the Southern defense. The Lady Jaguars finished the set with 10 kills and a .162 hitting percentage.
 
Southern responded in the second set with its strongest offensive showing of the afternoon. The Lady Jaguars recorded 15 kills and hit .394, taking advantage of improved execution to even the match with a 25-19 victory. Mott helped lead the effort as Southern evened the contest at one set apiece.
 
The Tigers took control in the third set, capitalizing on Southern's offensive struggles to earn a 25-16 win. The Lady Jaguars committed 11 attack errors and hit -.079 in the set, while Jackson State used a balanced attack to build its advantage and move within one set of the match.
 
Southern looked to extend the match in the fourth set, but Jackson State responded to an early push by the Lady Jaguars and gradually created separation. The Tigers pulled away late to secure a 25-19 victory and clinch the match.
 
Defensively, Najah Harris led Southern with 20 digs, while Paulina Agudelo Marin contributed four kills, two service aces and two block assists. Maleah Faust paced the setting effort with 18 assists, and Penina Vito added 17 assists as the Lady Jaguars worked to generate offensive opportunities.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will have a week off before returning to action at the H.W. Moody Intramural Sports Complex. The Lady Jaguars will take on Dillard on October 21, at 6 p.m.

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