MONROE, La. – Two more serve aces and 31 assists from Morgan Howard contributed to a 3-1 victory for ULM volleyball over Jackson State Saturday afternoon.
 
"It was one of those games where you got to keep your head down and keep working," head coach Reid Gann said. "Execution needs to continue to climb, but I'm proud of this win."
 
ULM opens its home season with a win, the first in Fant-Ewing Coliseum since 2023.
 
"It's always good to be at home," Gann said. "Getting that first home win and being 1-0 here is a positive note."
 
In the first set, the Warhawks (6-4) started hot with a 7-1 run powered by kills from Aniya Hall, Kennedy Plummer, and Madison Derden. ULM controlled a 14-7 lead before the Tigers (0-8) fought back with a 6-2 run to bring themselves within three points. Another 5-1 run by the away team forced an 18-18 tie.
 
ULM responded with a 4-1 run to gain control late at 22-19 and held a three-point lead at set-point. The Tigers produced three unanswered points to tie the set at 24 and forced set-point in their favor with a 26-25 advantage. However, three straight Warhawk points, which included two kills from Derden, ended the set, giving ULM the 1-0 match lead.
 
In set two, the Warhawks again started on fire with a 9-2 breakthrough, and with another 4-1 run, held a ten-point lead. JSU finally struck with a 6-2 scoring run to close the gap to six. Though the set was more even from then on, ULM answered any scores from the Tigers and kept control for the rest of the set. A 25-17 result gave the home team a 2-0 match lead heading into the third.
 
"We came out strong in the first two sets," Gann said. "They started to take advantage of the service line in the third and fourth set."
 
It was the Tigers with the strong start in the third with a 7-1 advantage early. Trailing 8-4, the Warhawks scored four of the next six points to draw within two, but JSU responded with a 4-1 run to gain control. Leading 18-14, the Tigers finished things off with a final 7-1 run to stay alive in the match and force another set.
 
The visitors started hot again in the fourth, racking up eight of the first 12 points scored to take control early. ULM responded in kind with a 7-2 run to take back the lead. JSU produced a 7-2 run of its own and created a 17-13 hole for the Warhawks. Powered by two kills from Chavon Weaver, the hosts surged back and took a one-point lead.
 
The Tigers pushed ULM back late and established a 23-19 score, but they were shut out the rest of the way as the Warhawks scored six unanswered to take the match in four sets.
 
Hall and Derden both led in kills with 14 each as Howard and Paige Meins collected two aces. Briana Raney tallied 18 digs on the day.
 
The Warhawks are back at it next Tuesday with a doubleheader at home against Alcorn State and Lamar.