JACKSON, Miss. – The ULM volleyball squad extended its winning streak to six after a sweep (25-11, 25-21, 25-21) over Jackson State Tuesday night inside T.B. Ellis Gym.
The Warhawks' six-game winning streak marks the longest such streak since 2005.
ULM (11-5) broke through in the first set after a kill from senior Kimberlie Alvarado sparked a seven-point Warhawk run behind the service of junior Taylor Zaeske to take a commanding 18-7 advantage. ULM scored seven of the next 11 points contributing to a .381 (10-2-21) attacking percentage while limiting JSU (0-17) to an empty 7-7-28 (.000) clip.
A kill from Lady Tiger attacker Taija Thomas cut ULM's second-set lead to one at 15-14, but sophomore Jennifer McClendon smashed a kill followed by an ace that resulted in another 7-0 Warhawk run to put the set out of reach.
JSU scored three straight points late in the third set to cut the ULM lead to one at 22-21, but the Warhawks countered with three straight points from the likes of McClendon and junior Hope Pawlik. The duo slammed back-to-back kills before combining on an assisted block to seal the match.
Junior Hadley Swartz led the ULM attack with eight kills while freshman Tara Jenkins anchored the Warhawk defense with 10 digs. Alvarado, McClendon and sophomore Kalena Caruthers each added five kills apiece contributing to ULM's .279 (33-9-86) hitting clip for the match.
JSU was spearheaded offensively by Thomas, who fired nine kills in 14 attempts with just one attacking error (.571). Setter Jenna Siddiqui served up a match-high 17 assists while libero Keirsten Howard dug 11 balls, also a match high.
The Warhawks return to action in their Sun Belt Conference home opener Friday inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum versus Appalachian State. First serve for that match is set for 6:30 p.m.
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