Jacksonville FL., -- The Edward Waters women's volleyball team is finding their groove at the right time of the season. The Lady Tigers have found their stride as they have entered into Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action. After a non-conference schedule with no home matches, this young EWU squad is beginning to mature.
The switched flipped for the Lady Tigers in their 3-2 comeback road victory over Clark Atlanta. EWU secured the reverse sweep led by a 14 kill-11dig double double performance from Alexis Simpson. Simpson also added two aces. Edward Waters would carry the momentum of that victory into the SIAC Crossover Cluster.
EWU finished the tournament with a 2-1 record notching 3-0 victories Kentucky State and LeMoyne-Owen before falling to Lane, 3-2 to close the SIAC Crossover.
Freshman Brooklyn Jones was a key contributor for the Lady Tigers over their three games in Memphis. The Detroit native, compiled 39 kills, 27 digs, six aces and five blocks during the Crossover Cluster. She got plenty of help from fellow freshmen Taylor Kennedy, Damia Ellis and Jewel Helmuth. Kennedy notched 19 kills and 15 blocks while Ellis tallied 77 total assists. Helmuth finished the weekend tournament with 18 kills, seven blocks and six digs.
The Lady Tigers looked to carry that momentum into their first home game of the season as they welcomed in the visiting Savannah State Lady Tigers. Despite a being hit with some injuries, EWU showed tough resolve and presence in front of a roaring Adams-Jenkins crowd. Alexis Simpson collected her third double-double of the season with 19 kills and 13 digs. Her 19 kills were a career-high mark. Freshman Autumn Jones was impressive for Edward Waters with a 11 kills and seven digs.
With their recent play of late, several Lady Tigers have found themselves in the top 10 on the SIAC rankings in various categories. Alexis Simpson is fourth in the conference in kills (101), eighth in kills per set (2.97), second in aces (21), first in aces per set (0.62), fifth in points and sixth in points per game (3.63). Brooklyn Jones ranks tenth in the conference in kills (64), sixth in kills per set (3.05), tenth in aces (12), second in aces per set (0.62), tenth in points (80.5) and third in points per set (3.83).
Damia Ellis currently sits fourth in the SIAC 208 total assists and fifth with 6.12 assists per set. Kennedy Taylor is ranked eighth in the league in total blocks with 27.
The Lady Tigers will welcome both the Allen University Yellow Jackets and the Benedict Tigers into Adams-Jenkins this weekend. Edwards will take on Allen Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm before closing the weekend with a match against Benedict at 1:00pm Sunday.
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