JSU claims championship trophy at SU Invitational

Jackson State clawed its way out of the loser’s bracket and rallied in four games to avenge an earlier tournament defeat of the Lady Bulldogs of Alabama A&M, en route to claiming the championship trophy in the 23rd Annual Southern University Volleyball Invitational, held at the Seymour Men’s Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday.
Freshman outside hitter Brittany Larkin, was named tournament MVP, after leading the Lady Tigers to a 3-1 victory against Alabama A&M in the championship game held on Saturday.
Larkins teamed with Amanda Daniels to combine for 27 kills to stop AAMU in four sets, rallying to win the final three games after falling in the first.
Larkin totaled 45 kills, 27 digs and 7 blocks throughout the tournament to receive the top individual award.
“It feels great as a freshman,” said Larkin describing how it felt to receive the MVP award. “We had a lot of enthusiasm and we played as a team.”
Larkin was joined on the All-Tournament team along with AAMU Brittani Lewis, Jessia Holt (Alabama State), Alyssa Knaus (Mississippi Valley), Ena Payne (Southern University) and Jasmine Jacobs (Arkansas-Pine Bluff. In addition, JSU’s Head Coach Rosa Washington was the recipient of the Coach of the Tourney Award.
“Once again the tournament was a complete success,” said SU head coach, Nathaniel Denu.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Game 1 MVSU vs. ASU
MVSU opened the tournament by taking down the Lady Hornets in three sets, 30-16, 30-21 and 30-22. MVSU’s Shatara Baydak tallied 15 kills to lead the Devilettes. Shajuana Pina posted eight kills, three digs and three blocks.
Game 2 UAPB vs. JSU
JSU’s Lady Tigers used three consecutive sets to defeat the Lionettes 3-1. The Lionettes took a 1-0 lead over JSU behind Jenitra Shiels’18 kills, but could not hold the Lady Tigers in the following games. Setter Corrina Cox had a team-high 35 assists with 10 kills to pace the Lady Tigers. Larkin had added 13 kills in the victory.
Game 3 ASU vs. SU
Southern University needed five games to defeat Alabama State in the third match of the tournament. Led by junior outside hitter Ena Payne, the Lady Jags rallied to win 27-30, 30-24,30-19, 28-30, and 15-13 respectively.
Payne tallied 23 kills, six digs and two blocks to help Southern obtain their eighth win of the season. Banaka Okwuone added 12 kills and Diane Chavis helped the SU cause with 10 kills.
ASU’s Shajuana Pina had a team-high of 13 kills.
“They played really good,” Denu said following the contest.
Game 4 AAMU vs. JSU
The AAMU Bulldogs beat the Lady Tigers 3-1 in a series of close sets. Junior middle hitter Brittani Lewis led the Bulldogs with 15 kills, 14 digs and eight blocks followed by senior Devona Williams with 14 kills, six digs and four blocks.
Game 5 MVSU vs. SU
The Devilettes defeated Southern 3-1, improving their tournament record to 2-0 behind Baydak single-game tournament-high of 24 kills. Devilettes sophomore Kantessa Bryant posted 18 kills and 5 digs. Payne led the Lady Jaguars with 15 kills.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Game 6 UAPB vs. AAMU
Alabama A&M opened the second day of the tournament with a bang, by dispatching the Lionettes 3-0. The Lady Bulldogs’ Cassidy Brazelton played a major part in the win with 11 kills, two digs and one block. Despite Jasmine Jacobs’ 18 kills, the Lionettes struggled through the match while falling out of contention for the championship.
Game 7 SU vs. AAMU
The Lady Jags loss three consecutive sets giving AAMU a 3-0 victory while eliminating themselves from a spot in the tournament championship game. Coach Denu felt that the Lady Jaguars didn’t play with the same energy as the previous day.
“We stood around too much,” Denu said.
Devona Williams led the Bulldogs with 12 kills, six digs, and five blocks. Payne reached a career-high of 52 kills.
Game 8 JSU vs. MVSU
The Lady Tigers and the Devilettes fought long and hard to make it to the final round of the tournament. Jackson State beat Mississippi Valley 3-2 scoring 15-13 in the last set to take the match win and a chance at the championship title. JSU outside hitter Amanda Daniels had a team-high of 17 kills.