JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — The Southern University volleyball team fell to Jacksonville State 3-1 (25-20, 16-25, 25-16, 25-17) on Saturday at Pete Mathews Coliseum during the Gamecock Classic.
 
Southern dropped the opening set before responding with a strong performance in the second set to even the match at one set apiece. Jacksonville State regained control in the third set and closed out the match with a fourth-set victory.
 
Sereniti Johnson led the Lady Jaguars offensively with 10 kills, while Mariah Mott added 10 kills. Alayah Wilson was efficient at the net, recording seven kills on a team-best .462 hitting percentage.
 
Penina Vito directed the Southern offense with 31 assists, while Najah Harris anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 16 digs. Paulina Agudelo Marin added six kills.
 
Southern battled Jacksonville State throughout the opening set and held several early leads. The Lady Jaguars used kills from Mott, Agudelo Marin and Johnson to stay within striking distance before the Gamecocks pulled away for a 25-20 victory.
 
The Lady Jaguars responded in the second set with their strongest offensive performance of the match. Southern hit .400 in the frame with 12 kills and only two errors. The Lady Jaguars used a strong run to build a 20-11 advantage and continued to control the set behind kills from Mott, Johnson and Wilson. Southern closed out the set 25-16 to even the match.
 
Jacksonville State jumped out to an early advantage in the third set, but Southern continued to battle. Agudelo Marin recorded three kills in the set, while Robinson and Wilson each added a kill. The Gamecocks maintained their advantage and claimed the set 25-16.
 
Southern kept the fourth set close early and tied the score at 5-5 before Jacksonville State used a run to create separation. Johnson led the Lady Jaguars with five kills in the set, while Wilson added three. Southern continued to fight late but Jacksonville State secured the 25-17 victory and the 3-1 match win.
 
As a team, Southern finished with 38 kills, 35 assists and 31 digs. The Lady Jaguars also recorded four total blocks and eight service aces in the match.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will take a week off of matches before returning to the H. W. Moody Intramural Sports Complex to take on Southeastern on September 8 at 6 p.m.

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