Alabama volleyball player Leilia Toailoa (#18) serves the ball against Jacksonville State on Sept. 18, 2026, at Foster Auditorium.
The University of Alabama volleyball team defeated Jacksonville State 3-2 Thursday night to open the Crimson Classic.
The Crimson Tide dropped a tightly contested first set to the Gamecocks, 18-25. In the second set, Leilia Toailoa’s three service aces helped shift the momentum toward the Crimson Tide, and the team clinched the set and the third, 25-18 and 25-14. The Gamecocks took the fourth set, 21-25, but the Crimson Tide ultimately came back and won the deciding set 15-8.
“We’re just a relentless team,” said head coach Rashinda Reed. “I felt like these ladies have just a drive inside of them.”
The players fought hard and posted impressive stats. Hannah Parant had a career high of 53 assists, and Laney Hennessee also had a career high Thursday with 20 kills, bringing her season total to 105 and the team’s to 435.
The Crimson Tide also served big against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, finishing with 14 service aces compared to four in their last match versus Alcorn State.
“We want to make sure that if someone is going to win this game, they’re going to take it from us,” said Reed.
With this thrilling five-set win, Alabama improves to 6-1 overall and 5-0 at home. The team will now prepare for their final home game before conference play begins next week.
“It’s continuing work on the defense phase of the game,” Reed said. “I felt like truly expanding our offensive range, and then of course just working on some blocking techniques there.”
The final home game before SEC play begins will close out the Crimson Classic. The Tide will face the Southern University Jaguars Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. This matchup will be streamed live on SEC Network+.