JACKSONVILLE – Junior outside hitter Clarke Adams returned for her first action in three weeks on Friday and helped lead Jacksonville State volleyball to a sweep in their Conference USA opener. The Gamecocks downed Sam Houston in straight sets behind big nights from Adams, Ellie Garrett, Kaylee Moseley, and Maddie Stayer. 
 
"They did everything I asked for in the scouting report," head coach Derek Schroeder said. "Since we knew they would be more physical, we wanted to be the aggressor and for the first time this year we were. Sam Houston came out very aggressive in the first set, but we weathered that storm and our system carried us through." 
 
The Bearkats (6-8, 0-1) opened Friday's CUSA test on the right foot, claiming as large as a five-point lead down the stretch. However, a resilient Jax State (3-8, 1-0) group found their footing late, overcoming a 17-12 deficit and taking five of the last six points to tally a 25-23 set win. Sam Houston never recovered in the second after falling behind early, leading to a decisive 25-16 victory for the Red-and-White. The two sides battled tight in the third, but the Gamecocks went on a 7-0 run in the set's final stages to clinch the sweep with a 25-22 difference. 
 
Jacksonville State out-hit Sam Houston .361 to .150 and posted more kills (53 to 33), blocks (7 to 1), assists (51 to 31), and digs (64 to 46). The Bearkats, on the other hand, had eight aces to the Gamecocks' one. 
 
"It feels great to see the offense work," Schroeder said. "There's still going to be ups and downs, but getting Clarke back was a huge help. She loves the speed and tempo of what we do, but it wasn't just her. Morgan had a great game, too, and everybody played well.
 
"It's great going into the locker room and seeing their faces, hearing them say, 'Dex, this is what you told us we would do,' and responding, 'I knew you could do it,'" Schroeder said.
 
Adams, who had been injured since Sept. 1, had 12 kills, nine digs, three assists, and two blocks in the win. Moseley added 12 kills on 21 swings for a .571 clip with two digs. Stayer finished with ten kills, seven digs, three blocks, and an ace, and Garrett posted seven kills (.636 hitting percentage), 40 assists, and six digs. In addition, Luci Wilkinson had a match-high 13 digs, Luci Wilkinson had 11 digs, and Morgan McClure scored nine kills, four blocks, and two digs. 
 
The Gamecocks will continue the opening weekend of conference play on Saturday with a matinee versus the Bearkats. First serve at Pete Mathews Coliseum is set for 1 p.m. 
 
"I told them we need the same mental, physical, and emotional determination that we had tonight, even though it's not going to be as easy," Schroeder said.
 
Though the match will not be broadcast, links to follow along with live stats will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates will be posted on Jacksonville State Volleyball's X account (@JaxStateVB). 
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their X (@JaxStateVB), Instagram (@JaxStateVB), and Facebook (Jacksonville State Volleyball) accounts.