Tigers Close Out Tourney Play With Spirited Battle Against Washington State

EDINBURG, Texas – Texas Southern put forth a valiant effort in Saturday’s tournament finale as they battled Pac-12 member Washington State to the end in a 3-0 loss.

TSU dropped the opener to Washington State 25-9 and found themselves down 19-12 in set two. Breyanna York picked up a block to draw within 19-13 followed by a WSU kill and Danielle Lilley kill to close the gap to 20-15. Lilley sparked TSU after the point with an additional kill and a service ace coupled with a bad set by WSU to draw within 22-20. The TSU defense stepped up after that point with a pair of blocks combined with a WSU error to claim its first lead of the set (23-22). 

A TSU attack error on the following possession tied the set at 23-all but WSU returned the favor with an error of its own which gave the Tigers an opportunity to close out the set at 24-23. However, WSU would force deuce with a kill and had set point following a TSU attack error. 

Despite their backs on the wall, TSU tied the match at 25-all after a WSU error but WSU answered with a kill followed by a TSU attack error to close out the set 27-25.

In set three, WSU jumped out early but TSU would close to within 9-5 after a kill from York. WSU answered with six straight points to secure control of the set and never looked back to close out the match.

Lilley led TSU with seven kills while York added nine assists. Valencia Grayson posted nine digs with four assisted blocks from Atira Jells.

Valencia Grayson was named to the all-tournament team for her play on the defensive side. Even though Alexis Austin didn’t play in Saturday’s finale, her teammates voted her all-tournament based on her performance in Friday’s matches as she combined to post 10 kills and 15 digs.

TSU starts SWAC play next week as they’ll head to Prairie View, Texas for the SWAC Round-up. On Friday, Sept. 27, they’ll face Alabama State at 10 a.m. followed by Jackson State at 5:30 p.m. TSU will face Alcorn State at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Mississippi Valley State later that night at 7 p.m. The round-up will conclude on Sunday with a match versus Alabama A&M at 10 a.m.