Southern University’s lady volleyball team (6-4) as a part of their annual pink game took on the Braves of Alcorn State University (1-8) on Friday October 21. The Lady Jaguars wasted no time shaking back from a hard loss against Texas Southern University the previous Saturday.
The first set was a nail bitter as the lady Braves got out to a 5-2 lead over Southern before the Jaguars answered with a 10-0 run. The Braves managed to save four set points with the help of Barbara Garret. Freshman Middle Blocker Arabella Hall rallied for Southern when she handed out a kill late in the set to give the Jaguars a 25-23 victory over Alcorn State University.
“I think we did really well playing together. Even though we lost a set, we came back and worked hard to get the dub,” explained Freshman Middle Blocker Arabella Hall.
Southern dominated the second set, just as they did with the first. The Jaguars gained a 5-0 lead over the Braves. Jaime Selleneit handed out five straight assists late in the set that allowed Southern to take a 25-14 win over the Braves.
Alcorn State came back ready to fight. Although Southern started out with the 3-0 lead, the Braves fought throughout the match with the assistance of Brittney Dumas and Heather Jackson who handed out a massive kill for the set point. The Braves won the set 25-19. The fourth set was almost an effortless attempt as the Jaguars took advantage of a 15-5 lead after scoring 5 consecutive points. Southern won the fourth set 25-11.
Freshman Outside Hitter Barabara Garrett led Alcorn State in blocks, finishing the game with 13 kills and one block. Junior Outside Hitter Brittney Dumas and Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter Heather Jackson combined for 12 kills. Southern University’s Freshman Outside Hitter Shelby Jolly led the Jaguars with 11 kills and Senior Melodie Malone contributed an additional 10. Sophomore setter Vaterra Calaias and senior setter Jamie Selleneit combined for 24 assists. Senior Libero Diamond Williams handed out 20 digs.
“As a hitter we always need a good pass to get a good set to get a good hit.
When she does her job (Diamond Williams) and all the other DS do their job, it makes it easier for everybody else to do their job. That’s how we work together,” explained Hall.
Southern (6-4) is now ranked fourth in the SWAC behind Prairie View A&M University (7-4). The Lady Jaguars are scheduled to take on the Tigers of Grambling State University next on Friday October 28th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Freshman middle blocker Arabella Hall and freshman right side Brianna Hawkins block a spike against the Alcorn State Braves on October 21 in Seymour Gym.
