JACKSON, Miss. – Niara Hightower collected her 100th block of the 2023 season Friday evening as Bethune-Cookman Volleyball dropped a 3-0 decision away to Jackson State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center. JSU took the match in straight sets on scores of 25-11, 25-21, 25-2.
 
Hightower, a junior middle blocker from Wichita Falls, Texas, put down four assisted blocks on the night, giving her 100 across the campaign. She leads the SWAC in total blocks (24 solo, 76 assisted).
 
After falling in the opening set, Bethune-Cookman (6-19, 6-8 SWAC) responded in the second set behind the services of AJ Simmons and Mia Delahoussaye – each collecting three kills in the frame. BCU held the Tigers to just a .152 clip hitting in the set, as the Cats responded with seven kills of their own as a unit.
 
Jackson State (14-9, 10-3 SWAC) rode the arm of Hope Briggs in the third set with the outside hitter registering five kills on just nine swings. Despite the Wildcats tallying a team-high 10 kills in a set that saw six lead changes and three ties, JSU would collect the 25-22 win courtesy a combined four service aces from Trinity Bryant and Alexis Williams – added Briggs' five-kill performance in the frame.
 
The Tigers were led on the night by a match-high 10 kills from Williams, followed by Briggs and Nyjha Marcelin with nine kills apiece. Karys Dove tallied 24 assists. And Bryant led all Tigers with 16 digs.
 
Delahoussaye and Simmons were the offensive leaders for the Wildcats with five kills each. Alisha Callender provided 10 assists. Essence Bell posted 20 digs, allowing her to score her sixth match this season with 20 digs or better. It's also her third of its kind in the last four matches for the Maroon and Gold.
 
BCU completes its two-match Mississippi road swing on Sunday when the Wildcats visit Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena at 1 p.m.