Baton Rouge, LA---The Grambling State Lady Tigers volleyball team made a strong showing as they posted a, 2-1, record in the 25th Annual Southern University Invitational Tournament this weekend.
JSU 3 GSU 1
Grambling State came out flat and never saw Jackson State coming as the Lady Tigers from Mississippi posted a 25-8 win in the first game. Grambling regrouped and took game two 25-22 but once again fell flat losing games three and four 25-16 and 25-22. Four of Jackson State players were in double figures in kills with senior Ebonee Dawson leading the pack with 12. She also totaled 16 digs for her club. Grambling's Kendra Johnson was the only Lady Tiger from north Louisiana with double digit kills finishing the game with 11.
GSU 3 MVSU 2
Unfortunately for GSU they were the only team that had to play back to back today. They faced the Devillettes of Mississippi Valley who was also looking for their first win of the tournament. The match needed all five games and some extra play in the first game but the three-time SWAC runner-ups, GSU, was not walking out of Seymour Gymnasium without a win. The Lady Tigers Kendra Johnson accounted for 19 kills while Kayla Williams totaled 17 and 12 digs to help give the Black and Gold their first victory. Mississippi Valley did put up a fight with Lonnie Hoff posting 10 kills and Jane Peterson ending with 19 digs but it wasn't enough as Grambling's double digit team kills in all but one game in the match was too much for the Devilettes to overcome.
GSU 3 ASU 0
In their final game Grambling State opened the second day of the tournament taking no time taking apart Alabama State. The Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Hornets 75-44 in three games. GSU's Shawonna Davis led all players with eight kills while Chelsee Goins finished the game with 11 digs. Alabama State was led by Kelyse Hall and Althea Russell who each ended the contest with seven kills.
Williams was named to the All-Tournament team after recording a tournament total 27 kills, 24 digs, five servers aces and four blocks.
The Lady Tigers will return to action Tuesday October 13th when they travel to Alcorn State, MS to face the Lady Braves of Alcorn State University.
-GSU-
