JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State volleyball defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at the Pete Mathews Coliseum Thursday night in four sets. With the win, Jax State eliminated LA Tech from the 2024 CUSA Volleyball Tournament.
 

The Gamecocks (9-21, 2-15) dropped the first set to the Bulldogs (8-22, 2-15) 21-25. Jax State was able to rattle off three straight wins in the next three sets by scores of 25-20, 25-16, and 25-19. The match was highlighted by a Hana Aiana block to clinch set point in the fourth set.

"I think just you're always looking for an all-around effort, you know what I mean," head coach Derek Schroeder said. "I think five or six of them played unbelievable matches today and it's really, probably, the only time this year we've put it together where a handful of the kids all played really, really well."

The usual stars for the Gamecocks showed up and showed out Thursday evening. Ellie Garrett had 52 assists and averaged 13 assists per set. On top of her assisting prowess, Garrett added nine digs and four kills. Brooklyn Schiffli led the way in digs with 23 and added four assists. Kayla Williams had a team-best 23 kills on a .333 hit percentage.

A multitude of other Gamecocks contributed to the home victory. Sanni Rantanen and Caty Havekost had 13 kills apiece, respectively. Havekost led the team with an efficient .370 hit percentage. Rantanen, Aiana, and Havekost all had two blocks apiece. Madison Konopka had the second most digs with 11 and Luci Wilkinson led the Gamecocks with three service aces.

"I've been here a year and a half," Schroeder added. "For those that came in a year and a half ago with me and put their blood, sweat, and tears into the program, provided the leadership, provided the guts, and provided all the things that I've asked them to do for 18 months, it means the world to me to put them off on the last weekend of their careers as well as I possibly can."

The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will face off in the final match of the season for both squads on Friday at 5 p.m. at the Pete Mathews Coliseum. The match is Senior Day for Jax State's 2024-25 senior class. Prior to the match, the six members of the senior class will be honored.