Volleyball Defeats UAPB 3-0 Sunday Afternoon

Texas Southern opened senior weekend on a strong note following a 3-0 volleyball win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday inside the H&PE Arena.

UAPB led 6-5 to begin the match but Gracie Hill and Keldri Young's two kills apiece sparked an 8-1 surge as TSU claimed a 13-7 lead. TSU would push its lead to 20-12 but the Lady Lions fought back with a 10-2 run to knot it at 22-all. Kennedi Walker's kill ended the drought for TSU but a service error by TSU tied the set once again at 23-all. The Golden Lions somewhat returned the favor to move TSU back on top 24-23 before Ava Ray's ace to end the set 25-23.

Set two started out back-and-forth as it was tied sat 13-all but TSU put forth a solid effort on both ends of the court as Hill's two kills along with a block from Morgynne McQueen and Trinidie Davis sparked an 8-0 run as TSU led 21-13. The Tigers were never threatened from that point as Kourtni Collier closed out the set with two kills for a 25-17 win.

Set three was a mirror image of set two to begin with as UAPB flipped an early TSU lead to an 8-7 lead. Davis and Young's kills gave TSU an 9-8 margin but UAPB hung close as the match was tied at 11-all after Collier's kill. UAPB would take a 15-13 lead several plays later but the Tigers woke up and secured control of the set with an 8-0 run led by Hill's two kills. However, the momentum was short-lived as UAPB narrowed the gap to 22-21 and 23-22 but Collier took control of the match from that point with all of TSU's points.

Collier led TSU with nine kills and two blocks while Hill and Young followed with eight kills. Kennedi Walker had 17 assists followed by 13 from Ray. Angelika Rusin led TSU with 12 digs while Hill added seven.

TSU closes out its 2024 regular season Monday against Grambling State for senior night at 6 p.m. TSU will honor seniors Angelika Rusin and Taryn Stafford during pregame.