JACKSON, Miss. – The Alcorn State University volleyball program fell to Texas Southern and Southern in two well-played matches to begin the SWAC Round-Up Friday evening.

The Lady Braves (4-17, 2-9 SWAC) got a team-best 19 kills (2.4 per set) from freshman Jéda Curry, junior Jasmine Chambers averaged 5.4 assists per set (43 total) with five service aces while junior Fiapaipai Iosia returned to action after missing the past five matches to lead the defensive charge by accumulating 13 digs.

"I'm extremely proud of our girls today. Although we did not get the outcome we hoped for, the team is making the incredible strides with our mental toughness and our approach to every game," said Head Coach Melissa Robinson. "Our Lady Braves will continue to fight and grow with each game. I'm a proud coach today!"

Texas Southern | L, 0-3 (14-25, 20-25, 21-25)

The first set saw Tigers and Lady Braves trade points up until there were matching threes on the scoreboard but TSU took over from there with a 7-0 run to go up 10-3. The maroon and gray saw its lead balloon to as high as 11, keeping Alcorn at a safe distance in a 25-14 first set win.

The girls from Lorman started off the second set with its first upper-hand of the match (9-8). Texas Southern countered with a 10-2 rally to grab the advantage back at 18-11. The Lady Braves would scrape and claw its way back to within four (24-20) but TSU held on for a 2-0 set edge (25-20).

The Tigers started off the third set hot, rattling off the first four points before the Lady Braves could make a dent in the point column. Alcorn eventually tied the score at nine before the maroon and gray scored five consecutive to take a 14-9 lead. The purple and gold made Texas Southern sweat by cutting the deficit to one (21-20), however, TSU had four of the last five points of the set, ending the match with a straight-set victory (25-21).

Sophomore Sydney Joseph was the top producer in kills (7) and digs (6) while hitting .400 on 15 attacks. Jasmine Chambers had 4.7 assists per set and junior Fiapaipai Iosia recorded four digs, two assists and a kill in her first contest back.
 

Southern | L, 2-3 (21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 12-15)

An ace by Chambers set the early tone to begin the match, as the Lady Braves took a 7-5 lead to start. Southern retook the advantage at 16-15 with the two sides switching between taking 2-0 runs. The Jaguars proceeded to go on an 8-1 run to put the set away as the light blue and gold withstood an Alcorn five-point surge at the end to win 25-21.

SU took the first two points of the second set but Alcorn came right back with six unanswered (6-2). The Jaguars cut it to one at 6-5 but the purple and gold kept the momentum with a 11-7 edge. Southern looked like it would barge ahead to a two-set lead when it took a 20-18 advantage late but Coach Robinson's team would not be denied, earning a two-set split with a 7-2 outburst to claim the second set and even the match (25-22).

The Jaguars took complete control through 17 points of the third set, going up 12-5 with the help of six-nil run. Alcorn came to within two multiple times, the last of which being at 17-15, however, a subsequent six unanswered points by SU was the final nail in a 25-20 Lady Braves third set loss.

Alcorn went up 5-2 to begin the fourth set only to see a 10-4 Jaguars run turn the tide and give Southern a 12-9 advantage. Six straight points by the purple and gold flipped the script once again as the Lady Braves took back the upper-hand at 15-12. The team from Baton Rouge kept the purple and gold close but could not catch up, forcing a deciding fifth set as Alcorn took a 25-20 fourth set triumph.

The Lady Braves got a trio of points to begin the final set but saw the Jaguars find its footing with seven consecutive points and eight of nine as the two teams switched sides (8-4). Alcorn showed true determination in tying the score at nine and taking a 12-11 edge but Southern got the last laugh, peeling off the final four points to escape with a 15-12 decision and a three-to-two victory.

Chambers earned her fourth double-double of the season and seventh of her career as she notched 29 assists plus 11 digs along with tying a career-high with six kills.

Four different Lady Braves tallied double-digit kills in the match as junior Daharri Thompkins led the way (14) while Curry (13) and sophomores Simone Barren (13) and Sydney Joseph (11) put on an impressive show as well.

Barren had a spectacular all-around outing, hitting .500 with only three errors in 20 total attempts to go along with three blocks (two solos).

Alcorn will not have much time to dwell on the losses as they face the first place Prairie View A&M Panthers at 10 a.m. tomorrow before taking on the Grambling State Tigers at 3 p.m. inside the Jackson Convention Center.

#FearTheBrave