Southern University

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — The Southern University volleyball team opened the 2026 season Friday at the Gamecock Classic, dropping a pair of matches against Jacksonville and Southern Miss at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
 
Jacksonville 3, Southern 0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-17)
Southern opened the 2026 campaign against Jacksonville, falling to the Dolphins in straight sets, 25-14, 25-14, 25-17.
 
Jacksonville jumped out to an early advantage in the opening set, building a 10-1 lead before the Lady Jaguars began to settle into the match. Johnson recorded a kill to give Southern its second point as the Lady Jaguars continued to battle throughout the frame.
 
The Dolphins maintained control of the set and held off the Southern attack to claim the opening frame, 25-14.
 
Southern looked to respond in the second set and received contributions throughout the lineup. The Lady Jaguars recorded eight kills in the frame, including three from Johnson, but Jacksonville once again pulled away late to earn a 25-14 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The Lady Jaguars continued to battle in the third set and put together their strongest effort of the match. Southern recorded seven kills in the frame and worked to keep pace with Jacksonville as the set progressed.
 
Jacksonville eventually created separation and closed out the match with a 25-17 victory in the third set.
 
Johnson led Southern offensively with a team-high eight kills and added nine digs. Braelynn Reese finished with five kills, while Paulina Agudelo Marin added four.
 
Southern Miss 3, Southern 0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-12)
Southern returned to the court later Friday to face Southern Miss, falling to the Golden Eagles in straight sets, 25-15, 25-17, 25-12.
 
Paulina Agudelo Marin led the Lady Jaguars offensively with seven kills, while Johnson and Braelynn Reese added five kills each. Najah Harris paced Southern defensively, while Reagan Robinson also turned in a strong performance in the back row.
 
Southern Miss gained control early in the opening set after the two teams traded points to begin the match. The Golden Eagles used a strong offensive attack to build an advantage and eventually claimed the opening frame, 25-15.
 
Southern responded with its strongest start of the day in the second set.
 
The Lady Jaguars jumped out to an early 5-1 lead behind two kills from Agudelo Marin, a kill from Mariah Mott and back-to-back service aces from Johnson. Southern continued to hold off the Golden Eagles and maintained its advantage before Southern Miss rallied to tie the score at 16.
 
With the score even, Southern Miss used a late run to take control of the set before closing out a 25-17 victory and taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The Golden Eagles carried that momentum into the third set, building an early advantage. Agudelo Marin and Alayah Wilson each recorded kills for the Lady Jaguars as Southern continued to battle, but Southern Miss extended its lead throughout the frame.
 
The Golden Eagles closed out the match with a 25-12 victory in the third set.
 
Southern finished the match with 25 kills, led by Agudelo Marin's seven. Johnson and Reese added five kills apiece, while Harris led the Lady Jaguars defensively with 11 digs, while Johnson added seven.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will conclude the Gamecock Classic on Saturday when the Lady Jaguars take on the host, Jacksonville State with first serve set for 2 p.m.

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