Texas Southern established control early in the opening set, using a balanced offensive attack and solid defensive play to put Southern on its heels. The Tigers maintained their advantage throughout the frame, as they recorded 13 kills on 34 attempts with five errors for a .235 hitting percentage. Defensively, the Tigers disrupted Southern's offensive rhythm, limiting the Jaguars to nine kills on 32 attempts. Southern committed eight attacking errors and managed a .031 hitting percentage. Texas Southern's ability to capitalize on those errors and maintain consistent offensive production helped the Tigers secure the 25-19 victory and take a 1-0 lead in the match.

Southern responded in the second set, but nine attacking errors prevented Texas Southern from establishing sustained momentum. The teams battled through the early portion of the set before reaching a 10-10 tie. Southern then gained the advantage behind consecutive service aces from Penina Vito, moving ahead 12-10. Both teams went back-and-forth as Su outscored TSU 5-2 to claim a 25-21 win. 

The third set featured another competitive stretch as Texas Southern attempted to regain control of the match. Southern opened the frame with four consecutive points behind Vito's serving to establish an early 4-0 advantage. Texas Southern responded with a rally of its own, gradually erasing the deficit and eventually tying the score at 10-10. Once again, it was neck-and-neck but SU broke open a 14-14 tie with an 11-5 surge to claim set three 25-19.

Needing a victory to force a decisive fifth set, Texas Southern battled Southern throughout the early stages of the fourth frame but SU jumped out to a 12-7 lead. TSU would claw its way back and tie the set at 19-all but a pair of TSU attack errors coped with SU kills move the momentum back to the Jaguars and ultimately the match win.