JACKSON, Miss. – Alabama A&M (1-14, 0-0 SWAC) opened Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play but could not overcome the steady approach of Jackson State (1-11, 0-1 SWAC) as they fell 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-19) in an NCAA Division I women's volleyball match on Sunday, September 25.
The Tigers would take an early 7-4 lead only to see A&M put together a 9-2 run to flip the script and pull ahead 13-9 midway through the opening set. From there it would be all JSU as they pounded out a 16-4 stretch that took them from down four to a 25-17 victory and 1-0 match lead.
Game 2 would see the Bulldogs build an 8-4 lead before Jackson State used a 7-2 run to take an 11-10 advantage. From there it would be a back-and-forth affair as the teams battled through six ties, the last of those coming at 18-18. At that point, the Tigers took control one more time as they scored seven of the final nine points to close out a 25-20 decision.
The third set would be another tightly contested affair as the clubs would be separated by no more than three points, ending up with JSU holding a narrow 17-15 lead. On the way there they fought through five ties and a pair of lead changes before the Tigers rattled off eight of the next 12 points to put away the set, 25-19, and the match, 3-0.
Freshman outside hitter
Bailey Duckett (Huntsville, Ala.) led the Bulldogs with 10 kills, seven digs and three aces while freshman outside hitter
Caitlin Shaw (Desoto, Texas) added eight kills and three digs. Freshman setter
Grace Tapscott (Hartselle, Ala.) dished out a career-high 19 assists and freshman libero
Tammy Melendez Mondragon (Pelham, Ala.) recorded a personal-best 19 digs.
Alexis Williams erupted for 15 kills and 19 digs to pace JSU while Olivia Flanagan added 11 kills. Jylen Whitten and Jordan Jones each chipped in with eight kills and Damassy Thompson finished with 18 assists. Alana Washington and Trinity Bryant rounded out the top performers with 13 and 11 digs, respectively.
A&M is right back in action tomorrow, Monday, September 26 with a 6 p.m. match at Mississippi Valley State.
