Volleyball Rallies Back For 3-2 SWAC Rivalry Win Over Prairie View A&M

HOUSTON – In classic TSU-Prairie View A&M fashion, it came down to the end as TSU volleyball rallied back from a 2-0 deficit with three straight wins for a 3-2 win Monday at Delmar Fieldhouse.

Prairie View A&M took a 14-14 set one tie and scored five straight to lead 19-14. TSU rallied back to draw within 22-19 and then 24-22 but Prairie View closed out the set one after a TSU service error.

TSU was up 8-7 in set two but Prairie View A&M’s Kylee Owens took matters into her own hands as she recorded five kills as the Panthers led 15-10. Janiya Chapman recorded three kills for TSU to help tie the set but Prairie View A&M answered and pushed the lead to 22-17. TSU narrowed the gap to 22-21 but the Panthers used a kill and two TSU errors for a 2-0 lead.

With their backs against the wall, the Tigers had to set an early statement to avoid an early sweep. They did just that as they led 10-5 early on but Prairie View A&M drew to within 13-10. A 6-0 run gave TSU some much-needed cushion at 19-10 as they closed out the set 25-19.

Prairie View A&M was on the verge of settling into its groove as they were ahead 18-13 in set four. TSU dug deep and went on an 8-0 run to lead 21-18 and never looked back as they won a critical set 25-20 to force a fifth and deciding set.

The Tigers entered the fifth set with a relaxed but focused mentality as they applied the pressure to Prairie View A&M with a 7-1 start. Prairie View A&M fought back and made it 10-7 but the TSU defense stepped up to the occasion and created opportunities for the offense to take advantage as they held on for a 15-9 win to increase the team’s winning streak to three games.

Janiya Chapman and Thalia Cordero Moreno had 14 kills each while Chenise Cook had four blocks. Dallas Balanay-Flores added 25 assists and 12 digs.

TSU is back in action Sunday at 11 a.m. against Mississippi Valley State in the second SWAC Cluster in Baton Rouge, La.