Southern University

BATON ROUGE, La. — Southern University battled through three competitive sets Sunday afternoon but dropped a 3-0 decision to Grambling State at the Horace W. Moody Intramural Sports Complex, falling 25-15, 25-19 and 25-22 in the Jaguars' second Southwestern Athletic Conference match of the season.
 
Southern (4-10, 1-1 SWAC) remained within striking distance for much of the afternoon, particularly in the final two sets, but Grambling (5-8, 2-0 SWAC) used a strong offensive performance and timely runs to secure the sweep. The Tigers finished the match hitting .258 with 37 kills and 10.0 team blocks, while the Jaguars recorded 32 kills and hit .024 with 3.5 team blocks.
 
The opening set featured several early exchanges before Grambling began to establish control. Southern stayed within reach at 10-13 and 11-13, with Sereniti Johnson providing an offensive spark for the Jaguars. Johnson recorded four kills in the opening frame, including a kill that cut the deficit to 11-13.
 
Grambling, however, answered with a decisive stretch late in the set. After Southern pulled within 14-16, the Tigers scored nine of the next 10 points to move ahead 24-14. Reagan Robinson kept the Jaguars alive with a late kill to make it 24-15, but Grambling closed the set on the following point to take a 25-15 advantage.
 
Southern came out with more momentum in the second set, building an early 7-5 lead. Norielle Battle provided a boost from the service line, recording an ace during the early run, while Mariah Mott and Johnson contributed kills as the Jaguars looked to even the match.
 
Grambling responded, but Southern continued to battle. The Jaguars eventually pulled even at 9-9 before the Tigers regained a narrow advantage. Southern remained within two points at 13-15 before Grambling created separation with a five-point run that pushed the Tigers ahead 20-14.
 
The Jaguars continued to fight late in the frame. Robinson and Johnson helped Southern answer with consecutive points, and the Jaguars eventually reached 15 points. Grambling, though, maintained control and closed the set 25-19 on a block, taking a 2-0 match lead into the break.
 
The third set proved to be Southern's most competitive frame of the afternoon.
 
The Jaguars and Tigers traded points throughout the opening stages, with Southern continuing to apply pressure offensively. Southern trailed 13-15 before putting together a strong stretch that featured kills from Zaria Nelson and a series of Grambling errors. Johnson and Paulina Agudelo Marin also contributed at the net as Southern battled back.
 
Southern eventually pulled even at 17-17 following consecutive Grambling attack errors, prompting a timeout from the Tigers. Grambling responded immediately, scoring three straight points to regain the lead at 20-17.
 
The Jaguars refused to let the set get away. Johnson delivered a service ace to cut the deficit to 19-21, and Battle followed with another ace to bring Southern within one point at 21-22. Robinson then recorded a kill to make it 20-22, keeping the Jaguars within striking distance.
 
Grambling answered with a pair of points to move to match point at 24-21. Southern extended the set once more when a Grambling attack error made it 22-24, but the Tigers finished the match on the next rally when Southern was charged with a service error, securing the 25-22 victory and completing the sweep.
 
Johnson led the Jaguars with 11 kills on 32 attacks while adding five blocks for a team-high 12.5 points. Robinson finished with five kills and six digs, while Mott added four kills.
 
Vito directed the Southern offense with 22 assists, while Harris anchored the defensive effort with 21 digs. Battle finished with two service aces, and Nelson contributed three kills.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will be on the road next weekend when the Lady Jaguars travel to Prairie View on Friday and Texas Southern on Sunday. First serve on Friday is set for 6 p.m. with first serve on Sunday at noon.

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