STARKVILLE, Miss. | The Grambling State University volleyball team came up short in its opener at the Mississippi State Tournament, dropping a 3-0 decision (25-14, 25-16, 25-11) to Southeast Missouri State on Friday morning at the Newell-Grissom Building.
Despite some bright moments, Grambling State (0-1) was unable to overcome SEMO's offensive attack.
Amaris Marks powered the Lady Tigers attack, finishing with eight kills and two service aces.
Ra'Niya Brown chipped in with five kills and a block.
Setter
Alayna Howard guided the offense with 11 assists, and
Leisey Kelii anchored the defense with a match-high 12 digs
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Grambling State opened the match taking an early 2-0 lead on kills by
Denver Watkins and
Ra'Niya Brown. SEMO responded quickly, using back-to-back service aces and a kill from Lucy Arndt to swing momentum and build a 7-3 advantage. The Lady Tigers kept it close midway through the set, with
Amaris Marks and Brown registering key kills to trim the deficit to 12-10. However, the Redhawks closed the frame on a dominant 13-4 run fueled by kills from Arndt and Katherine St. John, to claim the first, 25-14.
Set 2: The Lady Tigers came out firing, with
Amaris Marks and
Kenya Lucas sparking a 10-6 lead behind strong serving. SEMO responded with a big run, turning the momentum with blocks and kills from Kara Oxenknecht and Lucy Arndt. Despite kills from Marks and
Jaida Gray, the Redhawks closed on a 19-6 stretch to win the set, 25-16.
Set 3: Grambling battled early with kills from
Amaris Marks and
Ra'Niya Brown, but SEMO controlled the pace behind strong defense and serving runs. The Redhawks pulled away to take the set, 25-11, and the match 3-0.
UP NEXT
Grambling State returns to action tomorrow in the Mississippi State Tournament, facing the University of North Alabama at 11 a.m.
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