Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

JACKSON, Miss. –  Alaya Rhodes achieved another double-double with 21 kills and 15 digs as the Wildcats took down previously undefeated Jackson State 3-1 at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

The win was B-CU's first over the Tigers since 2022 and first ever on the road.

Set one was back-and-forth until the very end, with the largest lead being a 14-11 Wildcats' advantage halfway through.

Bethune-Cookman (6-7, 2-1) received five blocks in the first set alone, including three from Leila Hargrove. Meanwhile, the Tigers (7-10, 3-1) finished with four more kills than the Wildcats but also had six attack errors.

The set was dead even at 24 apiece, and it was the Wildcats who came up with the final two points to grab the early 1-0 advantage. Rhodes and Hargrove each picked up kills to finish the job, with assists coming from Kylynn White and Aaniya Thornton.

The second set began very similar to the first, as neither team could gain any separation. However, with the score event at 17, B-CU dominated the rest of the way.

The Wildcats won the point on eight of the final ten rallies led by four more kills from Rhodes. The Tigers once again finished with six attack errors in the set, and B-CU held the edge in kills 13 to 12.

Bethune-Cookman started off strong in the third set, building an early 3-0 advantage. But the Tigers quickly answered to tie the game back at three.

From there, it was back-and-forth until late in the set. The Tigers took a 20-17 lead only for B-CU to tie things back up at 21. But this time, JSU came up with a 4-0 run to cut the match deficit to 2-1.

Parker Featherstone earned the final two kills for Jackson State on assists from Naija Gadis. The Tigers finished with four blocks in the set, compared to zero for the Wildcats.

With momentum on their side, JSU took a three-point lead in set three as they looked to continue the comeback bid. But the Wildcats were able to regain their composure and race ahead after a 12-5 scoring run.

The Tigers were still not ready to give up though, climbing back to tie the game at 19. They would even take a one-point lead after two straight B-CU attack errors.

Bethune-Cookman would not be denied this time around, as they scored the final four points in a row to clinch the match victory. Moriah Johnson had two kills off two assists from White during the stretch.

• Alaya Rhodes matched her season-best performance from Sunday with 21 kills to go along with 15 digs. She led the team in both categories.
• The Wildcats finished with seven blocks total. Talibah Hamlett and Leila Hargrove each had three to lead the way.
• Nola Hemphill collected 21 assists while Kylynn White had 15.
• Aaniya Thornton recorded 15 digs.
• B-CU held Jackson state to a .115 hitting percentage, their worst performance at home on the season.
• Hope Briggs led the Tigers with 12 kills
• Kyra Dove had five blocks, including two solo.