A trip to Jackson, Mississippi, ended in victory for the Alabama State University Hornet volleyball team, as they defeated the Jackson State University Tigers 3-0. The Sept. 23 matchup took place inside Tellis Burthorne Ellis Gymnasium. For the Hornets, this was an opportunity for redemption, as the Tigers ended their 2021-22 season in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.
Junior middle blocker A’Nylah Cobb gave the Hornets an early 2-1 advantage after landing consecutive kills. With both teams knotted at seven, senior middle blocker Mahogany Vinson landed a kill, followed by an error from the Tigers, giving the Hornets a 9-7 lead.
The Hornets proceeded to go on a 4-0 scoring run, making the score 16-12, before a Tiger’s timeout. The Hornets concluded the first set on a 9-3 run, helping them take a 25-15 one-set advantage.
Set two saw the Tigers commit six errors, followed by junior outside hitter Jada Rhodes landing a kill, giving the Hornets a 7-3 lead. The Hornets extended their lead 13-8 over the Tigers; however, the Tigers stormed back to cut the deficit to one. Vinson and Rhodes responded with one kill a piece, putting the Hornets up 17-14.
With both teams tied at 24, junior outside hitter Kalyah Jackson landed consecutive kills, giving the Hornets a 26-24 set two victory. In set three, errors continued to plague the Tigers, as they committed three and found themselves trailing 4-1.
Once again, the Tigers climbed back to gain a 7-5 lead, forcing a Hornet timeout. After the break, the Hornets went on a dominant 9-0 run, taking a 14-7 lead. The Hornets continued to build on their lead as it was extended to 19-9. While the Tigers scored six more times, the Hornets came out victorious 25-15, completing the 3-0 sweep.
The Hornets travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi, to face off against the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils Sep. 25.