GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State volleyball delivered a dominant performance Thursday night, sweeping Arkansas–Pine Bluff 3-0 inside the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
The win moves the Lady Tigers to 2-11 overall and 1-2 in SWAC play, while the Golden Lions remain winless at 0-16 and 0-3 in the conference.
GSU controlled the match from start to finish, taking sets by scores of 25-17, 25-17, and 25-16. The Lady Tigers hit .173 as a team while holding UAPB to a -.052 attack percentage.
Grambling's offense was balanced, led by
Ra'Niya Brown,
Kenya Lucas, and
Amaris Marks, who each tallied seven kills.
Brown also paced the defensive effort at the net with four blocks.
Setter
Reece Cook dished out 15 assists, with
Alayna Howard close behind at 13.
Leisey Keli'i anchored the back row with 13 digs and a match-high four service aces.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: After a back-and-forth opening stretch, Grambling began to pull away behind strong serving from
Alayna Howard and
Leisey Keli'i. Key kills from
Kenya Lucas and
Ra'Niya Brown fueled a late surge as the Lady Tigers closed out the set 25-17.
Set 2:
Amaris Marks sparked the offense early with back-to-back kills, and the Lady Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead. UAPB fought back to close within two, but GSU responded with timely aces from Keli'i and Brown, stretching the advantage. Lucas and Marks sealed the frame as Grambling took another 25-17 win.
Set 3:
Reece Cook opened the set with an ace, setting the tone for GSU's final push. The Lady Tigers' front line, led by Brown and Lucas, frustrated UAPB with multiple blocks and efficient swings. Keli'i added another ace late before Brown put down the match-clinching kill for a 25-16 victory.
UP NEXT
Grambling State will look to carry its momentum into Sunday's 2 p.m. home matchup against Alcorn State as SWAC play continues.
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