HATTIESBURG, Miss. | The Grambling State University volleyball team has broken through and captured its first win of the season in dominant fashion, sweeping Northwestern State 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 26-24) on Saturday afternoon at the Southern Mississippi Invitational.

The Lady Tigers (1-8, 0-0 SWAC) delivered their most complete performance of the year, attacking with confidence and refusing to let Northwestern State (1-13) steal momentum. 

GSU finished with 42 kills on a .255 hitting percentage, while limiting the Lady Demons to a .143 clip.

Kenya Lucas led the charge with a team-high eight kills, while Morgan Munro and Rihianna Brown chipped in seven apiece.

Brown was a force on both sides of the net, adding two blocks, while Ra'Niya Brown electrified the Tigers with six kills and two aces. 

Amaris Marks matched her energy with two more service aces.

The Tiger offense flowed through Alayna Howard's 17 assists and Reece Cook's 12 helpers, keeping Grambling balanced all match. 

On the defensive end, Leisey Keli'i set the tone with nine digs, while Cook and Denver Watkins added eight apiece.


HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: GSU came out swinging, hitting .344 behind Lucas and Brown to control the opener, 25-20.

Set 2: The Lady Tigers stayed in rhythm, using steady defense and key points from Munro and Watkins to push ahead, 25-20.

Set 3: In the most dramatic set of the day, Northwestern State fought to extend the match, but Grambling refused to be denied. With clutch plays down the stretch, the Tigers closed it out 26-24 sealing the sweep and their first victory of 2025.


UP NEXT
Grambling returns home on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to host Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m. inside the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.



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