Southern University

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Southern University volleyball team bounced back from an opening-set loss to earn a 3-1 victory over Texas Southern on Friday night at the Horace W. Moody Intramural Sports Complex. The Lady Jaguars claimed the final three sets, winning 19-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21.
 
Southern (8-16, 4-7 SWAC) used a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive performance at the net to secure the Southwestern Athletic Conference victory. The Lady Jaguars finished with 50 kills, 48 assists and 12 total team blocks while holding Texas Southern to a .164 hitting percentage.
 
Texas Southern (7-16, 6-5) took the opening set 25-19 after building an early advantage and maintaining control throughout the frame. Southern struggled offensively, recording nine kills and eight errors while hitting just .031.
 
The Lady Jaguars responded in the second set, overcoming an early deficit before taking control midway through the frame. With the score tied at 10, Southern put together a key scoring run behind Penina Vito, who delivered back-to-back service aces to give the Lady Jaguars a 12-10 advantage. Southern continued to build its lead, using timely blocks and attacking contributions from Mariah Mott and Alayah Wilson to secure the 25-21 victory and even the match.
 
Southern carried that momentum into the third set, opening with a 4-0 run behind Vito's serving. The Lady Jaguars maintained control despite a Texas Southern rally that eventually tied the set at 10. Southern responded by regaining the lead and creating separation late in the frame. Mott and Wilson delivered important kills down the stretch as the Lady Jaguars closed out the set 25-19.
 
The fourth set featured another competitive battle, with the teams trading points through the early stages. Southern eventually created some breathing room behind its offensive attack and defensive presence at the net. The Lady Jaguars held off a late Texas Southern push to close out the match with a 25-21 win.
 
Wilson led Southern with 11 kills while adding seven digs and three blocks. Mott finished with 10 kills and two blocks, while Alyssa Williams contributed eight kills and six blocks Braelynn Reese and Reagan Robinson added seven kills apiece, with Reese recording a match-high eight block assists. Paulina Agudelo Marin chipped in six kills and four blocks.
 
Vito paced the offense with 24 assists, while Maleah Faust added 18 with eight digs. Najah Harris anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 22 digs, followed by Robinson and Vito with nine.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will return to action Sunday when the Lady Jaguars host Prairie View A&M for Senior Day at the Horace W. Moody Intramural Sports Complex. First serve is scheduled for noon.

FOLLOW THE JAGUARS
For complete coverage of Southern University Athletics, please follow the Jaguars on social media at @SouthernUsports(Twitter), @SouthernUJaguars (Facebook), @southernusports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Southern University Athletics at www.gojagsports.com

#GoJags   #SouthernIsTheStandard   #ProwlOn   #BeyondTheStandard