JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated the Kennesaw State Owls 3-2 behind a strong defensive effort.
 
JSU (12-4, 2-1) fell behind to the Owls 2-1 but won two straight sets to finish off the five-set win, 15-10.

"We didn't execute great tonight but what I loved was out grit and determination and how we battled every single point even when things weren't going our way," said Head Coach Todd Garvey. "I thought that tonight the biggest difference was we were a lot more aggressive in the fifth set than we were last night when we lost in five. I loved to see that from our team tonight."

The Gamecocks opened the first set on a 7-4 run following a kill from Addie Halverson. A kill from Katie Montgomery extended the lead to five, 16-11. Up, 24-21, Halverson added another kill giving the Gamecocks a 25-21 win in the first set.
 
After falling behind, 13-9 in the early goings of the second set, JSU claimed a 14-13 lead following a 5-0 run. Kennesaw State regained the lead 22-20 before back-to-back attack errors tied the set 22-22. After another attack error gave the Gamecocks set point, KSU used a 4-1 run to win the set, 27-25.

Kennesaw State took an early lead in the third set, 9-4, following several Gamecock attacks errors. The Owls built on their lead as the Gamecocks trailed by 10, 23-13, late. A comeback effort for JSU fell short as the visitors went on to win, 25-18, taking a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair until back-to-back kills from Lena Kinderman gave the Gamecocks a 20-17 lead. Kylee Quigley gave JSU set point, 24-21 following a kill. An ensuing service error by the Owls ended the set, 25-22, in favor of the Gamecocks, forcing a tie breaking fifth set.

The Gamecocks dominated to begin the fifth set, taking a 7-3 lead following a service ace from Logan Smith. Kaylie Milton gave the Gamecocks a six-point lead, 10-4, following a kill. The Owls fought back in the set, cutting the lead to two, 11-8. The 14^th service error of the match for the Owls gave the Gamecocks set point, 14-10. Kindermann finished off the set with her 16^th kill for the 15-10 win and 3-2 comeback win in the match.

Kinderman recorded a team-high 16 kills while Quigley also chipped in 11. Defense was the difference tonight for the Gamecocks as both Quigley and Carmichael led the team in digs with 18 each. Lexie Libs added 12 digs to go along with a team-high 48 assists. Montgomery led JSU with three block-assists.
Serving and backrow defense was the difference in the match. JSU recorded 65 digs compared to just 51 for Kennesaw State. In addition, the Owls recorded 14 service errors while JSU committed just four.

"I thought our back row won us this match tonight," added Garvey. "We got out-blocked by a lot, but it was awesome to see Erin, Kylee and Lexie step up the way they did making plays defensively. Also, Logan Smith went in and played great for us in that fourth and fifth set, as well as Anna Nelson, so I couldn't be prouder of our back row defense tonight."

The Gamecocks will travel to Richmond, Kentucky and Louisville, Kentucky next weekend to take on Eastern Kentucky and Bellarmine, respectively. Both games will start at 2 p.m. CST.

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