HAMMOND, La. - The Texas Southern University volleyball team fell 3-0 to Southeastern Louisiana on Friday afternoon at the University Center, dropping sets 25-13, 25-12 and 25-13.
First Set
Southeastern Louisiana jumped in front 3-0 to open the match, getting early kills from Kyra McKelvey and Abby Bailey before a Texas Southern attack error extended the advantage.
The Lady Tigers quickly answered. Morgynne McQueen put TSU on the board with a kill from Ava Ray, and Lauren Battle followed with another kill from Ray to pull the Lady Tigers within 3-2. TSU then tied the set at 3-3 when Lacey Kusnier's serve resulted in an ace.
The Lions answered with a kill from Keira Beverly, but Gracie Lee responded with a kill from Ray to tie the set again at 4-4.
After Southeastern Louisiana moved ahead 5-4, the Lions began to establish control. Gracie Mann recorded consecutive kills during a four-point run that pushed the lead from 7-5 to 10-5. Richardson added a kill, and the Lions extended their advantage to 11-5 before Mann committed an attack error to give TSU a point.
Texas Southern continued to fight, with Ava Houston recording a kill from Kadence Davison to make it 12-7. Southeastern Louisiana responded with another stretch of points, however, moving ahead 16-7 before TSU stopped the run with an attack error by the Lions. Lee and Battle helped the Lady Tigers close the gap later in the set. Lee recorded a kill from Ray to make it 10-17, while Battle added another kill to bring TSU within 18-11. A block from Aaliyah Brown and Lee helped the Lady Tigers reach 13 points, cutting the deficit to 19-13.
The Lions then closed the set decisively. Mann recorded a kill, followed by a kill from Ainsley Driska, and two consecutive service aces pushed Southeastern Louisiana to set point at 24-13. A TSU attack error gave the Lions the 25-13 opening-set victory.
Second Set
Texas Southern opened the second set with a strong response, but Southeastern Louisiana again gained an early advantage.
The Lions scored first on a McKelvey kill before TSU tied the set at 1-1 following a Southeastern Louisiana attack error. McKelvey answered with another kill, and Beverly followed with a kill to put the Lions ahead 3-1.
Houston then delivered a kill from Ray to keep TSU within one point at 3-2. Southeastern Louisiana built its advantage to 8-2 behind a McKelvey kill, a service ace and consecutive blocks. Battle stopped the run with a kill from Ray, and TSU continued to battle. The Lady Tigers cut the margin to 9-5 after a Southeastern Louisiana attack error and another Lions error. Houston later added another kill from Ray, keeping TSU within 17-9.
Southeastern Louisiana regained momentum and moved ahead 20-10 after a service ace from Bailey and a kill from Mann. Texas Southern answered with Battle's kill from Ray to make it 20-10 and later added a Lee kill to reach 12 points.
The Lions closed the set with three of the final four points, including a kill by Mann and a block, to take the second frame 25-12 and move within one set of the sweep.
Third Set
The third set began with Texas Southern looking to extend the match.
Southeastern Louisiana scored first on a Bailey kill, but a Lions attack error tied the set at 1-1. Houston and Ray connected for a TSU kill to make it 2-2, but Southeastern Louisiana quickly regained control. Beverly and Mann helped the Lions move ahead 5-2 before TSU responded. A Southeastern Louisiana attack error and a kill from TSU's Sherrow, Kaiulani brought the Lady Tigers within 6-3.
The Lions then produced their most decisive stretch of the afternoon.
Southeastern Louisiana scored nine consecutive points, moving from a 5-3 advantage to a 14-3 lead. Mann and Driska supplied kills during the run, while TSU also committed several attack errors.
The Lady Tigers finally ended the run with a Kusnier kill from Davison, cutting the deficit to 15-4. TSU showed renewed energy, scoring consecutive points on a Southeastern Louisiana attack error and a service ace from Keagan St. Junious to make it 16-6. Another Lions attack error brought TSU within 16-7.
Southeastern Louisiana answered with a kill from McKelvey, but Texas Southern continued to compete. Battle recorded a kill from Ray to make it 19-9, and a TSU block by Brown and Kusnier brought the Lady Tigers to 10 points. The Lions maintained their advantage down the stretch, reaching 22-10.
Texas Southern scored three of the next five points, including an attack error by Southeastern Louisiana and a service ace from Brown, cutting the margin to 22-13.
Southeastern Louisiana, however, closed the match with consecutive kills to secure the 25-13 third-set victory and complete the 3-0 sweep.
Battle and Houston led Texas Southern with five kills apiece, while Lee finished with three kills. Ray directed the TSU offense with 12 assists, and St. Junious led the defensive effort with seven digs. Brown finished with a team-high two blocks, while Lee and Kusnier each added one.
The Lady Tigers return to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday against Charlotte.
