Grambling State University athletics teams are looking for a comeback season after falling short of the ultimate goal, which is to be SWAC Champions.
With their season just right around the corner, these teams and athletes are hungry to turn their season around this year to win it all.
Volleyball
Volleyball finished fourth in the regular season and went 8-9 and 5-6 in the conference in the 2021 season.
Freshman Jada Taylor, who was named Libero of the Year, will have a big impact on the expected turn around for the Lady Tigers.
Taylor led the Lady Tigers with 200 digs the past season and she is also ranked second in the conference with digs per game (5.2) and made the All-Swac first team.
“My expectations for this year as a team is to be the SWAC champions,” sophomore, Semira Fields said.
Last season, the Lady Tigers fell 3-0 to Southern in the SWAC volleyball tournament. With sophomores, second team all-swac, Gillian Jones, Semira Field and Kalee Caldwell, the future is bright for the lady tigers.
Football
Football had a troubling season as the Tigers went 0-4.
With some changes and new recruits, they are definitely looking for a turn around year, this fall. This year newcomers Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman are now competing in the SWAC conference. The Tigers also managed to get six televised games this year and also are looking to play some big schools such as The University of Houston and Southern Miss.
“Undefeated season and if not undefeated in regular season, undefeated in conference. Also becoming the 2021 SWAC champions and 2021 HBCU National Champions,” redshirt junior, Devanir Martin, said regarding his projection for the fall.
Martin believes that Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Eric Marty will make the most impact on the team's success this year.
“Coach Martin and his offensive scheme coming into the 2021 season should make a big impact on the season. Being able to move the ball down the field and put up points offensively.”
Basketball
Mens basketball went 12-12 overall and 9-6 in conference play in the 2020-2021 season.
Leading scorer (13.7 ppg), Cameron Christon, has high hopes for the team going into his senior year, saying “I’m expecting to win the SWAC championship this year with our first NCAA tournament birth.”
After an overtime thriller against Southern University in the first round of the SWAC tournament, the Tigers was defeated by Prairie View in the semi finals.
“I think it's going to have to be a team affair this year to be able to win, we have a lot of talent around the board but if we don't play together that doesn't matter.” With Donte Jackson entering his fourth year in the program, he has a lot to ride on this year by also adding on a couple new pieces. While also having seniors Prince Moss and Terreon Randolph returning for their extra year.
There is no doubt that the Tigers will turn things around this fall and spring. With Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman entering the conference, competition will be taken to another level.
