Box Score MOBILE, Ala. - Junior right side hitter
Lauren Mayer had 11 kills, sophomore outside hitter
Kalynn Evans posted 17 digs and freshman setter
Arianne Cruckshank recorded 32 assists and a .500 hitting percentage as the Southeastern Louisiana University women's volleyball team (3-3) improved to .500 by rallying to defeat Jackson State 3-2 (25-18, 25-19, 25-22, 15-9) in the opening match of the 2008 Jaguar Classic hosted by South Alabama on Friday afternoon.
Southeastern came out strong in the first set as five Lady Lions recorded two or more kills, led by junior middle blocker
Julie Elliott's three, en route to a 25-18 win in the opening frame. Southeastern never trailed after Elliott claimed a kill on the opening point to get things off on the right foot.
Trouble arose in the second set, however, as the Lady Tigers combined to hit .238 as a team and force 17 Southeastern errors to claim a 25-19 win and tie things up at 1-1.
Jackson State then took control of the match in a hard-fought third set. The Tiger offense once again had a strong showing, hitting a combined .200 (14-7-35) as Jackson State jumped out to an early lead. Southeastern rallied in a hard-fought set that saw 10 tie scores, but the Tigers would pull away for a 25-23 win.
Facing a match-deciding set, the Lady Lions came out strong in the fourth. Junior right side hitter
Jessica Srajer notched three kills and Mayer and Evans each recorded two as Southeastern held on for a 25-22 win to force a fifth and final set.
Southeastern controlled the action in the tiebreaker, combining to hit .600 (6-0-10) as a team and taking advantage of nine Jackson State errors. The Tigers refused to go quietly, pulling to within 10-9, but the Lady Lions notched the final five points to pull away for the 15-9 win.
Next up for Southeastern will be a rematch against the South Alabama Lady Jaguars. The hosts of the 2008 Lady Jaguar Classic were 3-1 winners when the two squads met in Hammond on Aug. 30 in the first match of the year for both teams.
Game time is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday morning in Mobile. Live stats will be available on
www.LionSports.net.
