Sports

Winless Lady Tigers

The Lady Tigers (0-6) tried to rebound after a tough start to their season Thursday night against Wiley College (5-4), but fell short as they dropped all three sets.

Lady Tigers got off to an aggressive start and was neck to neck with Wiley before losing the first set 25-20.         

They came out in the second set with the same aggression, but quickly sank to a 12 point deficit and eventually lost the set 25-12. 

After halftime, the Lady Tigers got off to a slow start as they faced another early deficit 12-4 within the first few minute. Eventually the gap stretched to 21-11 moments later. 

The Lady Tigers then scored seven straight points as the gym erupted with cheers from passionate Tigers fans. 

The Lady Tigers courageously fought to the end before the Wildcats won the set and match 25-18. On a positive note, Lady Tigers’ head coach Demetria Keys-Johnson graciously admires the Tiger spirit in the fans and wishes that they would continue to support the Lady Tigers volleyball team through this time of tough adversity. 

Post game Keys-Johnson said, “we appreciate all the love and support. I just ask that Tiger fans don’t lose faith in the players because they are truly superb athletes. They’re just struggling right now.” 

She added, “I would also like to recognize No.5 Breonna Loud a junior setter for playing consistently and giving the team all she has. Breonna truly has been giving a 110 percent.” 

Tiara McIver, the Lady Tigers offensive leader, stated, “Last night was a tough loss because we played our hardest in the final two sets, but we’re looking forward to pulling out a win against JSU.” 

The Lady Tigers will get another chance for redemption when they travel to Jackson State University on Sept. 27 where they will face the Lady Tigers of JSU. Match time is set for 7 p.m. 

 This is the Lady Tigers’ seventh consecutive loss and they are in last place of SWAC West. They have struggled heavily on defense. Thus far this season, the team collectively committed 57 errors on the year. The Lady Tigers have a negative attack percentage of (-.013) and they only average five kills per set. 

The Lady Tigers have lost two consecutive games to SWAC opponents, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University. Between the last two games they were swept six straight sets and committed 32 errors. 

Offensively, McIver leads the Lady Tigers with seven kills on 29 attempts with five errors.  

Defensively, Loud leads the Lady Tigers with six spikes and eight digs. 

With four consecutive SWAC opponents on the upcoming schedule, the Lady Tigers are looking for ways to win in hopes of bringing them into contention for a SWAC title.