FLORENCE, AL. – Jax State heads back to Jacksonville with a win over North Alabama in the final match of the UNA Invitational. The match was the third of the weekend that went five sets, but this time, the Gamecocks came out victorious.
 
"No matter how you look at it we are a team that didn't win very much last season," head coach Derek Schroeder said. "Hopefully, we can build a lot of confidence playing three five-setters this weekend and finding a way to get it done on our third try."
 
After taking two losses in 10 sets on Friday, Jax State (7-3) was able to defeat UNA (3-7) in five more sets on Saturday. North Alabama won the opening set 25-14 before Jax State took set two 25-20 and set three 25-19. The Lions won the fourth set 25-15, but the Gamecocks clinched the win in five with a 15-13 final.
 
Jax State had 46 kills, five aces, eight blocks, 45 assists, and 63 digs in the win. Caty Havekost led the Gamecocks in kills with 11, followed by Hana Aiana with 10. Aiana had a team-high .391 hit percentage. Ellie Garrett had a team-best 39 assists and tied for second-best on the team with 13 digs. Luci Wilkinson tied Garrett at 13 digs, while Brooklyn Schiffli led the Red-and-White with 16.
 
Sanni Rantanen had eight kills and three blocks. One of her eight kills clinched the match win in the fifth. Kayla Williams added nine kills and two service aces.
 
The Gamecocks will now prepare for the Ragin' Cajuns Classic on Sep. 19-21. In that tournament next weekend, Jax State will play Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana, and Florida A&M. The Ragin' Cajuns Classic will be the last tournament before the Gamecocks begin conference action.
 
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