Box Score HAMMOND, La. — The Southern University volleyball team picked the first win of the season Tuesday night, outlasting Southeastern, 3-1 (25-23, 26-24, 18-25, 25-18), at the University Center.
 
The Lady Jaguars overcame a strong third-set response from the Lions and closed the match with a dominant fourth set to secure the victory. Southern improved to 1-3 on the season, while Southeastern fell to 1-5.
 
Southern opened the match with a back-and-forth first set that featured 11 tie scores and seven lead changes. The Lady Jaguars trailed 18-17 late before putting together a crucial 5-0 run to take a 22-18 advantage. Southeastern answered with three consecutive points to pull within one, but Southern maintained its composure down the stretch. A kill by Zaria Nelson gave the Lady Jaguars set point at 24-22 before the Lady Jaguars closed out the set 25-23.
 
The second set proved even tighter.
 
Southern built an early 7-3 advantage following consecutive kills from Sereniti Johnson and a Southeastern attack error. The Lions battled back, eventually tying the set at 15-15 and again at 16-16.
 
With the score tied 18-18, Southern used a 3-0 run to move in front 21-18. Southeastern responded with six of the next nine points to tie the set at 24-24, setting up a dramatic finish.
 
The Lady Jaguars regained the advantage at 25-24 following an attack error by the Lions before Southern's block combination of Paulina Agudelo Marin and Mariah Mott produced the final point, giving Southern a 26-24 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Johnson was especially effective in the second set, recording five kills on six attacks while hitting .833.
 
Southeastern refused to go quietly, responding with its strongest offensive performance of the night in the third set. The Lions hit .306 and recorded 16 kills, building an early 9-5 advantage and eventually extending the lead to 19-12.
 
Southern attempted to mount a late comeback, cutting the deficit to 22-15 and later 24-18, but Southeastern closed out the set, 25-18, forcing a fourth set.
 
The Lady Jaguars answered immediately.
 
Southern jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set and continued to apply pressure offensively. Kills from Johnson, Mott, Nelson and Reagan Robinson helped the Lady Jaguars maintain their advantage.
 
With the score tied 13-13, Southern took control of the match with a 5-1 run. Johnson contributed a kill and a service ace during the stretch, while Agudelo Marin and Maleah Faust combined for a key block that pushed the Lady Jaguars ahead 18-14.
 
Southern continued to pull away, scoring seven of the next 10 points to take a 21-15 advantage. The Lions managed to trim the deficit to 21-17, but the Lady Jaguars closed the match with four of the final five points. A block by Norielle Battle and Nelson put the finishing touches on the win, 25-18.
 
Johnson led a trio of Lady Jaguars with double-digit kills at 11 while adding four service aces. Nelson, in her first action this season, finished with 10 kills on 24 attacks while hitting .208 with three blocks. Mott also recorded 10 kills, hitting .238 and finished with two blocks.
 
Faust orchestrated Southern's offense with 39 assists while adding two kills and two digs. Najah Harris anchored the defensive effort with 18 digs. Battle added six kills and three blocks, while Agudelo Marin contributed two kills and four blocks.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will head to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for the Southern Miss Invitational at the Southern Miss Wellness Center. The Lady Jaguars will take on Lamar and Houston Christian on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The round-robin will conclude against Southern Miss at noon on Saturday on ESPN+.

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