Itta Bena, Miss. – The Wildcats will look to turn their fortunes around heading toward postseason play as they take on Mississippi Valley State. Sunday afternoon's contest will be the final regular season game for both teams and begins at 1:00 p.m. EST.


Sunday, November 16
Opponent: Mississippi Valley State (4-19, 1-14)
Time: 1pm EST
Location: Itta Bena, Miss. | R.W. Harrison HPER Complex
Watch Live: https://tv.swac.org/
Live Stats: https://mvsusports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary


After some early back and forth during the opening set, Jackson State (13-12, 12-3) was able to build a four-point lead on Bethune-Cookman (13-14, 10-5). The lead did not last long though, as the Cats were able to tie it up at 10 following a service ace by Melissa Gonzalez. 

The set remained tightly contested as neither team could gain much separation. B-CU was able grab a 20-17 lead after a kill by Amya Jennings, but Jackson State was able to hang around, eventually tying it back up at 23. The teams alternated scoring until a service ace by Morgan Wingo finally gave the Wildcats the set victory 28-26.

Jackson State took an early 4-0 lead during the second set, but the Wildcats clawed their way back to take the lead 10-8. B-CU was able to widen the gap to as large as four, but a 7-1 JSU scoring run gave the Tigers the lead back.

The end of the set was very similar to the first, with each team trying to gain the two-point advantage necessary to win the set. This time though, it was the Tigers who came out on top, with Hope Briggs coming up with two straight kills to clinch the set 27-25.

During the third set, the Tigers were able to gain a big advantage early and would never look back. After JSU took a 10-2 lead, the Wildcats fought to get back in it. Following a Tigers' attack error, B-CU was able to cut the deficit to four, but JSU used three consecutive kills to close it out, winning the set 25-18.

The fourth set was competitive to start, as the score was tied at five early, but JSU was able to score the next six-points to build a big lead. It was smooth sailing for the Tigers from there as they outscored B-CU 14-5 the rest of the way and were able to pull out the victory.
 

Mississippi Valley State is 1-14 in the SWAC this season, with their only win coming on October 27th at home against Alcorn.

The Delta Devils are led in points by sophomore Alaya Rhodes who has 213.5 on the season. They are led in assists by senior Leticia Franco with 164.

MVSU ranks toward the bottom in most statistical categories including the second-lowest hit percentage and the second-lowest hit percentage allowed.


Bethune-Cookman is undefeated against Mississippi Valley State in their history, winning all nine previous matchups. The Wildcats have won in three sets in all but two of those games.

 
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