The Lady Rattlers gathered in the FAMU Senate chambers to watch the NCAA Selection Show and were featured on a live feed of the show.  

In several past years, the Lady Rattlers had participated in first round tournament in Gainesville, at the University of Florida.  With the Gators nor Miami Hurricanes being ranked high enough to host, the Rattlers were forced to travel cross country.

“We knew we would hit one of the top seeds and none of the teams in the south were selected to host and ironically, FSU (Florida State) and us are going to the same regional,” said FAMU head volleyball coach Gokhan Yilmas. “We’re excited to play, that’s why we play the season.  We want to be in the NCAA Tournament and it’s going to be a fun match.”

The Nebraska Cornhuskers tout one of the best volleyball programs, facilities and fanbases in the entire country.  The Rattlers and Cornhuskers have only faced once, with the arguably FAMU’s best volleyball team ever defeating the Cornhuskers 3-1 in a historic victory for the HBCU.  At the time, 20 years ago, Nebraska was the No.2 ranked team in the country and the game was in front of a sellout crowd of over 4,100 fans.

FAMU All-SWAC outside hitter Brooke Lynn Watts is excited to be returning to the NCAA tournament for her second time.  “We’re all super excited.  This is my second tournament. I don’t think anybody on the team has been to Nebraska, so the atmosphere is going to be great.  It’s going to be really loud and something we’ll have to adjust to early.  But, I think we’re ready for it and this team is really fun to play with,” Watts said.

Senior middle hitter Isis Williams is appearing in her third NCAA Regional. “I think the kind of team we have with a big senior class..they will be leaning on us.  I’m super, super excited to see al the people are that are going to be there and the overall vibe of the place is going to be amazing,” Williams concluded.

The HBCU champion Rattlers will face Nebraska on Friday at approximately 8:00 PM EST.  

NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST AND SECOND ROUND SCHEDULE

First Round – Friday, Dec. 6
4:30 p.m. – Miami vs. South Dakota State (ESPN+)
7 p.m.* – Nebraska vs. Florida A&M (ESPN+)
*or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the 4:30 p.m. match, but no sooner than 7 p.m.
 
Second Round – Saturday, Dec. 7
7 p.m. – First Round Winners (ESPN+)

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Alcorn State and Southern University are the competitors for this weekend.  The Wildcats arrived in Tallahassee on Tuesday to play the Rattlers in a regularly scheduled match and then remain in Tallahassee at least through Monday.

The Rattlers defeated the Wildcats 3-0 today and will now accommodate their HBCU arch-rivals as the low-lying Daytona Beach is susceptible to flooding and the rotation of Hurricane Milton is expected to dump both rain and storm surge onto the eastern coast of Florida.

Three days on the job, FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletics, Angela Suggs, announced the schedule change at the Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club today.  

“We’re playing (Bethune) Cookman tonight and they’ll be with us until Monday.” Suggs said.  “Alcorn and Southern were the switch teams for Sunday and Monday.  Southern would have come to us on Sunday and Alcorn here on Monday.  As opposed to them traveling down to Daytona, we’re going to host all those teams.”

She went on to say that the SWAC was involved in making the accommodations for the switch in venue as well as the FAMU Athletics Department and FAMU Administration.

“That’s family and it’s all about safety, SWAC love and SWAC support.  It going to be like a big old tournament.  We’ll have three SWAC sister institutions with us.  Support is important.  For our visiting schools even to see orange and green in the stands, especially for our young ladies is important. Bethune-Cookman was especially appreciative of us and we just want to do our part,” she concluded.

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (October 7, 2024) – Jacksonville, FL HBCU Edward Waters University is pleased to announce its selection as the host for two prestigious NCAA Division II Championships. The university will hold the 2027 NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship, as well as the 2028 NCAA Division II Men’s & Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Additionally, the University of North Florida will host the 2027 NCAA Division I Men’s & Women’s Outdoor Track & Field First Round Championships.

This marks a historic milestone for Jacksonville and its only HBCU, which will host these Division II collegiate tournaments for the first time. The city has never previously hosted three distinct championships within a two-year period. Edward Waters University’s recent transition to Division II status has enabled Jacksonville to bid for these national championships, in collaboration with the University of North Florida.

“We are thrilled that Jacksonville has been awarded these tournaments and eagerly anticipate welcoming fans, friends, and family to the events,” stated Michael Corrigan, President and CEO of Visit Jacksonville and President of the Jacksonville Sports Foundation. “The successful collaboration among Visit Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sports Foundation, the Jacksonville City Council, the City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment, Edward Waters University, Jacksonville University, and the University of North Florida has made this achievement possible. We look forward to further partnerships with the NCAA to bring additional events to Florida’s Championship City.”

Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., President and CEO of Edward Waters University, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this opportunity:

“This is a monumental moment for Edward Waters University and the city of Jacksonville. Being selected to host these NCAA Division II Championships reflects our institution’s growth and commitment to athletic excellence. As the first HBCU in Florida to transition to NCAA Division II, we are proud to showcase our capabilities on a national platform. These events will not only provide thrilling competition on our campus but will also significantly benefit our local community. We are excited to welcome student-athletes from across the nation and highlight the warm hospitality of Edward Waters University and Jacksonville.”

The collaborative efforts among these organizations have significantly influenced Jacksonville’s sports bidding strategies. These strong partnerships have shifted the city’s focus toward future sports events, leading to bids for 16 NCAA Division I and II championships for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years across men’s and women’s basketball, outdoor track, soccer, and women’s volleyball.

These esteemed NCAA Division II Championships represent a pivotal milestone in Edward Waters University’s journey toward enhanced prominence. Dr. Ivana Rich, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at EWU, elaborated on the importance of these events:

“We are thrilled to serve as hosts for the 2027 NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship and the 2028 NCAA Division II Men’s & Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships in collaboration with our partners at UNF,” Dr. Rich said.” This underscores our dedication to athletic excellence and positions Jacksonville as a dynamic sports hub. We look forward to welcoming athletes and fans nationwide to enjoy our outstanding facilities and warm hospitality. We truly value the collaboration with UNF and Visit Jacksonville to make this dream a reality. I take immense pride in representing the NCAA Division II membership on this stage and look forward to providing these student-athletes with a world-class experience.”

The championships are anticipated to yield numerous benefits for Edward Waters University, including:

• Increased national visibility for the institution
• Enhanced recruitment opportunities for both athletes and non-athletes
• Improved campus facilities to meet NCAA standards
• Strengthened partnerships with local businesses and organizations
• Economic benefits for the surrounding community

“These events will serve as a catalyst for our ongoing growth and development,” Dr. Faison added. “They exemplify our commitment to excellence in all aspects of university life and will inspire our students, faculty, and staff to achieve new heights. As we prepare to welcome the nation’s top Division II athletes, we are also ready to present Edward Waters University as a rising star in higher education.”

By successfully hosting these championships, Edward Waters University aims to solidify its position as a leader among HBCU and Division II institutions, further advancing its mission of emerging prominence in both academic and athletic spheres.

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CHARLOTTE – After conducting a national search, Johnson C Smith University Director of Athletics Dr. Denisha Hendricks has named Da’Nesha Miller the new women’s volleyball head coach at the Charlotte HBCU.  Miller brings a wealth of experience, determination, and enthusiasm to her new role as a CIAA head coach, underpinned by a solid six-year background in coaching and a history of building athletes with character and skill.

In her most recent position as an assistant coach at Fayetteville State University (FSU), Coach Miller played a pivotal role in the team’s daily operations. She was instrumental in recruiting, planning, and executing practices, analyzing video and scouting opponents, coordinating team travel and game-day operations, and ensuring adherence to NCAA Division II and CIAA compliance rules. Miller also had primary responsibility for the team’s academic support services. Under her guidance, the Fayetteville, NC HBCU was the 2022 Southern Division Champion, and she mentored multiple players who earned CIAA post-season accolades.

In 2020, Miller joined her alma mater, Hilton Head Island High School, as an assistant coach. Her college volleyball was on pause due to COVID-19. That year, the team won the AAAA State Championship, with four players earning NFHS post-season accolades. This was only the second state championship in the school’s history – Miller played on the team that won the first! Miller’s role as head coach of Carolina Advantage Volleyball Club’s 17s Team in 2022 further showcased her coaching prowess. She led the team to notable finishes, including first place in Silver at the Charlotte AAU tournament and first place in Gold at the SC Grand Prix. Under her leadership, the team earned the distinction of qualifying for AAU Nationals.

Coach Miller’s coaching journey began while she was still in college. In 2018 and 2019, Miller was the head coach of Shockwave Volleyball Club’s 15s and 17s teams, where she developed and implemented comprehensive training programs, led practices, and fostered a positive team atmosphere. Her efforts bore fruit as the teams achieved impressive finishes, including second place in Gold at the Carilion New Year’s Classic and Mizuno Capitol Hill tournaments.

A standout HBCU student-athlete herself, Miller’s accolades include being a nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year, captain of the 2019 and 2021 CIAA Volleyball Championship teams, and member of the 2019 CIAA Track and Field Championship team. She made the CIAA Volleyball All-Conference First Team each year she played and was the 2019 & 2021 CIAA Volleyball Tournament MVP and 2021 Fayetteville State University Student-Athlete of the Year. In 2019 and 2021, Miller finished in the top eight nationally for Division II Triple-Doubles (kills, assists, blocks/digs).

Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in Organismal Biology and is completing her Master of Business Administration with a focus on Healthcare Management. With her extensive experience, passion for the sport, and commitment to student-athlete development, Coach Da’Nesha Miller is set to make a significant impact at Johnson C Smith University. The Golden Bulls community eagerly anticipates the growth and success of the volleyball program under her leadership.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Alabama State opened Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-14, 25-19, 28-26) victory over Florida A&M at the Al Lawson Center on Friday night.
 
Jylen Whitten led Alabama State with 16 kills, hitting .297 on the night, with seven digs, and added a pair of service aces. Tallahassee native Jada Rhodes added 15 kills — including the match-winner — while hitting .244 for the Lady Hornets.
 
Madison Beasley led the Lady Hornets with 27 assists and added four digs, while Emily Brooks added 11 assists. Defensively, Temperance Chatman led the team with 18 digs, while Christyn Ashby and Taila Gaines recorded three blocks each. Kymesha Thompson added 2.5 blocks in the win.
 
SET 1 | The two teams traded points early in the season before a kill from Whitten and an attack error from the Rattlers gave Alabama State an 8-6 lead. Florida A&M answered with a 4-0 run to take a 10-8 lead and force a Lady Hornet timeout. Alabama State responded out of the timeout to tie the set at 10-all. Florida A&M used a pair of errors to push the lead to 13-11 before Alabama State came back with a kill from Jada Rhodes and a pair of errors to take a 14-13 lead. The two continued to trade points with Florida A&M grabbing a 21-19 lead before the Lady Hornets put up back-to-back points including a block from Thompson to tie the set at 21-all. The Rattlers came out of the timeout on a 4-0 run to claim the opening set.
 
SET 2 | A kill from Gaines and a pair of aces from Whitten pushed Alabama State out to an early 3-1 lead down in the overall match before Rhodes put an attack away for a 4-1 lead. The kill forced a timeout, however, the run continued with a block from Gaines and another teaming with Ashby to push the lead to 6-1. Another ace from Whitten forced a timeout for Florida A&M with Alabama State up 8-1, before it continued to grow Florida A&M was finally able to stop the run 10-0 with a kill. Florida A&M continued to crawl back into the set getting it to 13-7 and forcing a timeout before Thompson and Ashby recorded the fifth kill for Alabama State in the set to get the lead back to seven at 14-7. The Lady Hornets continued to press in the set and put Florida A&M away ending a streak of six consecutive sets won by the Rattlers dating back to the last regular season meeting of last year.
 
SET 3 | The Lady Hornets came out the same way they ended the second, on the run using kills from Whitten and Ashby to build a 5-1 lead. The two traded points for the majority of the set until a kill from Ashby and an ace from Whitten pushed the Alabama State lead to 16-11. After the Rattlers pulled to within 17-14, Beasley picked her spot with a kill to push the lead to 18-14 before another block added to it at 19-14. Another short-lived Rattler run was ended when A’Nylah Cobb recorded a kill to the back line for a 21-16 lead. The Lady Hornets pushed the lead to as many as seven before Florida A&M closed to within 23-19. However, Alabama State was able to put the set away for a 2-1 overall lead.
 
SET 4 | The two teams traded points to start before a 3-0 Florida A&M run pushed the lead to 7-4 and forced an Alabama State timeout. However, out of the timeout, Alabama State used a kill from Rhodes to end the run and pull the Lady Hornets to within two at 7-5. The Rattlers built a 9-7 lead before Alabama State used a furious rally to pull to within 9-8. They were able to hold the lead until Alabama State went on a 4-0 run to grab a 13-11 lead and force a timeout. They continued the run out of the timeout to push it to 14-11 before the Rattlers were able to get on the board. Florida A&M grabbed a 19-18 lead with three consecutive points to force the final Alabama State timeout of the set before the Lady Hornets were able to end the run and tie it up at 19-all on a Rhodes kill. The Lady Hornets grabbed the lead once again when Whitten hit a kill down the line at 20-19, but the teams continued to battle and Florida A&M tied it at 20-all. The two traded points before Florida A&M grabbed a 23-21 lead, and the Lady Hornets came back to tie it up on a Gaines block. Facing set point, Alabama State used a kill and service ace from Whitten before Florida A&M tied it up. A kill and service ace from Gaines set the stage for Rhodes to end the match with a kill.
 
Up Next
Alabama State hits the road on Sunday to close out the road trip with a contest at Bethune-Cookman with a start time of noon (ET).

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“I want to thank the NCAA for making a public investment in both growing the sport of men’s volleyball and enhancing championship access for some of its historically marginalized HBCU institutions and our 80-plus men’s volleyball student-athletes without taking opportunities away from other deserving teams,” said SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman. “There has been a strong push by national leaders to grow the sport of men’s volleyball, especially among HBCUs. As Commissioner, I can tell you there is a positive energy in the league and on our campuses about competing in men’s volleyball at the highest level.”
 
The SIAC becomes the sixth conference to receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and joins the Conference Carolinas as the only Division II conferences with a berth.
 
The 2024 season will be the SIAC’s third season. Central State won the inaugural conference championship in 2022, and Edward Waters while undefeated in conference play to win the SIAC title last season.
 
The addition of the SIAC will expand the NCAA Tournament field from seven teams to at least eight schools. Six of those teams in the tournament field will be conference automatic qualifiers.
 
The finalized tournament field size and format, though, remains unresolved for the upcoming season.
 
The Competition Oversight Committee at the recent meeting requested to expand the NCAA Tournament to 12 teams. However, the committee will revisit this recommendation following a budget review and analysis.
 
If the NCAA Tournament expands to 12 teams, the field currently is not slated to include the NEC as an automatic bid next season.
 
The committee denied the NEC its waiver request to bypass the two-year waiting period for new conferences before being eligible for an automatic bid.
 
The NEC following its inaugural season advocated its circumstances and efforts to comply with NCAA automatic bid requirement warranted waiver consideration. The committee rejected the request citing no extraordinary circumstances that merit the waiver.
 
The increase to at least an eight-team field is the third time in the last 10 years the NCAA Tournament expanded.
 
The NCAA Tournament since its inception in 1970 had been four teams before expanding to six teams in 2014 with the addition of the Conference Carolinas. The field also increased to seven teams in 2017 to coincide with the start of the Big West adding men’s volleyball.
 

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The Rattlers make their second consecutive appearance after winning the 2022 SWAC Championship in Houston, defeating the Alabama State Hornets in a 3-0 shutout.

The seeding with the Gators comes as no surprise to head coach Gokhan Yilmas.  “We knew it would be a big name, the way it works in the NCAA is it is usually driving distance in the preliminary round,” Yilmas said.   “ We didn’t play a great game against the Gators last year, but we’ll be better prepared this year after having that experience.”

The Gators are a talented squad

The Lady Rattlers will face a talented SEC team with three stars who earned postseason honors.  Leading the charge is SEC Freshman of the Year Alexis Stucky.  Merritt Beason and Marina Markova also earned All-SEC honors.  

This is Beason’s second SEC honor as she was named to the 2021 SEC All-Freshman team in 2021.  She has recorded double-digit kills in 19 matches this season.  She’s also tallied four double-doubles this season with a career-high 21 kills against Wisconsin.

Markova garners her first SEC honor after earning ACC honors in 2021 before her transfer.  She has recorded double-digit kills in 20 games this season.  She posted a career-high 18 kills in her final regular season match, eclipsing the 1,000 kill milestone for her career.

Stucky’s first season was one for the record books, with the stamp on the season being bestowed All-SEC honors.  She posted five double-doubles this season.  She recorded at least 40 assists in 13 matches this season and led the team to at least a .300 clip in 13 matches this season.

Florida A&M set the pace in the SWAC

Florida A&M has some outstanding players as well.  Two-time SWAC Volleyball Player of the Year Dominique Washington is set to lead the squad into the tournament.  Washington also won the Most Outstanding Player for her performance in the 2022 SWAC Championship.

Washington was one of the best hitters in the nation and the top hitter in the SWAC, finishing with 391 kills (49^th in the nation and 1^stin SWAC). During league play she finished first in kills per set (4.02). She was the only player in the league to average four or more kills per set during conference play. She also led the league with 443.5 points. She was also a top contributor on the defensive end finishing second on the team with 272 digs (2.57 digs per set).

Also earning SWAC superlatives were Broke Lynn Watts (SWAC Newcomer of the Year), Brooke Hudson (SWAC Libero of the Year) and Irem Ucar (SWAC Setter of the Year).

Hudson was one of the best defensive players in the nation and the top defensive player in the SWAC, finishing with 487 digs (44^th in the nation and 1^st in SWAC). During conference play, she led the league in total digs (267) and digs per set (4.68). Hudson was consistent on the defensive end recording 10+ digs in 28 matches and 20+ in seven matches during regular season competition. She earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Week a total of five times this past season.

Ucar had a stellar season setting her teammates up for kills while finishing with a league-leading 837 assists (10.2 assists per set) during regular season play. She was the only player in the league to average 10+ assists per set. Ucar also ranked 55^th in the nation in assists per set. 

Watts was a significant contributor for the Rattlers in her first season as she was tabbed as SWAC Newcomer of the Week four times and SWAC Offensive Player of the Week once this past season. During league play, she averaged 2.78 kills per set (7^th in SWAC). Watts also finished eighth in points (317) and points per set (3.23). She recorded a season-high 21 kills during the Florida A&M win at Alabama State. Watts also contributed significantly defensively, finishing the season with 218 digs. 

Gokhan is banking on FAMU’s experience for a better tourney showing

Gokhan is optimistic that his team is not on a stage too big, after planning this season with more top competitors to get the team ready for possible postseason play.  “The first year in tournament play is more difficult, it allows you to see the need.,” Gokhan said.   We recruited the way we did to fill the deficiencies we discovered in the NCAA tournament last year.  To better prepare our team, we played Kansas State, Florida State,  NC State and Ole Miss.  It will help us to be better prepared for tournament play.  This is how you build programs.  You do it and learn how to get better the next you encounter this level of competition.”

FAMUAthletics.com and Gatorzone.com contributed to this story

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The Birmingham, AL native spent the past four years as an assistant at her alma mater. She graduated from North Carolina Central in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, with a concentration in pre-med. In addition, she obtained her Master’s degree in Biology and Biomedical Sciences from NCCU in 2020.  

“I am elated for this new opportunity at Grambling State University and look forward to leading the volleyball program to new heights,” Phillips said. “I’d also like to thank President (Rick) Gallot and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Trayvean Scott for their visionary leadership and commitment to excellence for the volleyball program. I cannot wait to get started!”  

Phillips is the second hire this year for the Grambling State volleyball coaching job. Scott and Grambling hired Chelsey Lucas last winter in a move that quickly turned sour after she was accused of dropping as many as 19 members from the program prior to being investigated and ultimately terminated from her position. Lucas denies any wrongdoing and said that the administration was aware of her moves as she made them.

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WASHINGTON — Howard University women’s volleyball team rounded out its 2022 roster with the addition of All-American libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.).

“Claire is the perfect addition for our program,” said Howard University volleyball head coach Shaun Kupferberg. “She has a long history of playing at an elite level and winning championships.”

Simpson joins Rya McKinnon (Bessemer, Ala.), Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas) and Maddie Siegel (Fishers, Ind.) as part of the Howard 2022 class.

Here is more information on Simpson:

Claire Simpson (5-6 / Plainfield North H.S. / Sports Performance Volleyball / Plainfield, Ill.) — Libero

Simpson arrives to The Mecca after a stellar career at Plainfield North H.S. and Sports Performance Volleyball. The All-American was part of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Phenom College Preparatory Program.

“Claire fits our program values,” Kupferberg added. “Her personality fits in well with our team and we can’t wait to have her on the court this fall.”

The Illinois native chose HU because of the program’s success on the court and inside the classroom.

Other 2022 Howard Volleyball recruits

Rya McKinnon (5-11 / Hoover H.S. / Bessemer, Ala.) — Outside Hitter

McKinnon hails from Bessemer, Ala., where she won numerous individual awards at Hoover H.S. (Hoover, Ala.) while accumulating a school-record 2,494 kills. She earned AL.com Super All-State Team honors four times, Gatorade Player of the Year, USA Today Alabama State Player of the Year and AL.com State Player of the Year. Rya was also named an All-American by Volleyball Magazine, Max Prep, Prep Volleyball and the AVCA.

“Rya is a six-rotation outside that has been repeatedly recognized nationally as an elite player,” Kupferberg stated. “She is strong at every facet of the game with her passing and hitting being among the best in the 2022 class. She has the maturity to compete at the collegiate level immediately.”

Academically, McKinnon averages a 4.0 grade point average and chose HU because of the family atmosphere.

Leah Reeves (5-7 / Allen H.S. / Allen, Texas) — Setter

Reeves comes to The Mecca after a four-year career at Allen H.S. (Allen, Texas). As the captain of her team, she was named to the Academic All-State Team and All-District Team. Reeves was also placed on the Under Armour All-American watch list in 2021.

“Leah has the athleticism and accuracy as a setter to be successful at the highest levels,” said Kupferberg. “She has a quick and aggressive style that makes her one of the most dynamic setters in her class. Leah makes an impact in every play and I’m excited to have her on our court this fall.”

Reeves chose HU because of its academic excellence and family environment.

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GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University Athletics Department announced on Tuesday the termination of head volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas. The announcement was made by President Rick Gallot and Dr. Trayvean Scott, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. 

The decision was made due to the determination of an internal investigation within the Grambling volleyball program. Any additional comments will be held until the conclusion of the investigation. 

“The success of student-athletes and their ability to matriculate at Grambling State University is the top priority,” said Dr. Scott. “As we move forward in this transition and commence a national search for the next coach, all volleyball student-athletes who received scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year will keep their scholarships and remain on the team. Walk-ons will also continue to hold their roster spot.” 

“It is the responsibility of this institution to make sure that student-athletes are afforded opportunities in a manner compliant with all regulatory organizations,” said GSU President Rick Gallot. “That applies to athletics as much as it does to academics.” 

A national search for a new Grambling volleyball coach will begin this week.

About Chelsey Lucas

Lucas, a 2007 graduate of Grambling State University and a former Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Defensive Player of the Year, along with being a first-team all-conference performer, returns to her alma mater after spending the past three seasons at the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff.  

“I want to give thanks to God for allowing me to have a new start to something that I truly love to do,” Lucas said. “Also, I would like to thank Dr. Scott and all of his staff that worked very hard during the process to get me here and to just understand what it takes to have a winning culture.” 

While at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Lucas’ teams compiled a 37-44 overall record and a 27-17 mark inside the SWAC, including going 13-3 in 2021. 

During the 2021 campaign, Lucas coached All-SWAC Blocker of the Year, Haley Gomez, along with second-team selections Zyonn Smith and Nikole Akamine. Gomez made program history when she became the first two-time SWAC Blocker of the Year in the program and conference history. 

Prior to her taking over the reins at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Lucas spent three seasons at SWAC member institution Alcorn State. While at Alcorn State, the Lady Braves saw gradual success on the court, posting a 10-20 overall mark in 2018, which was seven more victories than the previous season and a 6-12 record in the SWAC, an improvement of six wins. 

In 2018, the Lady Braves’ six conference wins were the most in the program since the 2003 season. Alcorn ranked second in the nation in aces per set at 1.98. Individually, sophomore Fiapaipai Iosia ranked third in the nation with in aces per set at 0.66. 
 
Chelsey Lucas first entered coaching in 2007 as an assistant coach at Terrebonne High School in her hometown of Houma, La. and as head coach of the Bayou Bandits club team. She was then hired as Houma Junior High School’s head volleyball coach in 2009 before taking the same job at Riverside Academy (Reserve, La.) in 2011. 
 
Also in 2011, Lucas was named club director of the Louisiana Southern Swing Volleyball Club in the midst of immediate success at Riverside. She led the Rebels to back-to-back LHSAA Division IV semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2013. 
 
Prior to Alcorn, Lucas also spent three seasons as head volleyball and track and field coach at East St. John High School (Reserve, La.).  
 
As a player, Chelsey Lucas was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, anchoring the backline for Grambling State during its run to the SWAC Regular Season title. A 2006 All-SWAC first team selection as a senior, Lucas led the conference with 396 digs, highlighted by a SWAC season’s best 43-dig performance at Texas Southern.  

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CSU head coach Ray Lewis was ecstatic not just about the win, but what the tournament means for HBCUs going forward.

Powerful Image

“It’s incredible for HBCUs. I was sitting up there at one point I saw a young black athlete sitting with his dad watching men’s volleyball,” he said. “And to see him to be able to sit there and watch and feel encouraged and know other people that look like you play this game and they’re champions and they do it at a high level it means a lot. I’m excited to see what it’s gonna do for HBCUs.”

It was a closely contested battle with CSU taking a 2-1 lead after three sets. EWU fought back to win the fourth set 25-14 and hung tough in the fifth. The Marauders would take control in the fifth, winning 15-11 and avoided having to play another game in the double-elimination tournament.

The Marauders made it through the double-elimination tournament unscathed and Lewis said that was a testament to the fight his team has shown all season.

“It was a phenomenal season I mean we went through a lot of adversity,” he said. “[We had] injuries, you know people being here, people not being here, so it’s just awesome to be at the end of it and to know that they stuck true to our game plan and that they were bought in all year. To finish it out with the championship, these guys deserve the world.”

Season of Pride

While CSU will get to celebrate bringing back the first ever SIAC volleyball championship trophy to Wilberforce, Ohio, SIAC commissioner Gregory Moore said everyone involved in the tournament has something to be proud of.

“There are no losers in this tournament,” he said. “Nobody is a loser, they’re all making history and they’re all hopefully laying a foundation for future generations of kids to come in and get better and better and better and at some point have these programs compete for championships.”

He noted how proud he was of the conference for leading the way on this endeavor.

“We are an example for young people and nothing is more powerful than an image,” he said. “We cannot overstate the importance of young people watching other young people that look like them playing the sport of men’s volleyball.”

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Both courts were occupied by teams engaged in intense matches on opening day including Edward Waters’ dramatic win over Fort Valley to close the day out.

While the on-court battles are a result of the work and preparation put in by the student-athletes, the tournament itself came to be thanks to the efforts of many.

Leighton Batiste, the Associate Commissioner of Marketing and Partnerships for the SIAC said it was a two-part effort to bring volleyball to HBCUs that spanned several years.

“It started with us doing our research and that’s where we found out that men’s volleyball, boy’s volleyball is the second most played sport globally behind soccer and it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the US,” he said.  “And for us at HBCUs it’s very important to help our institutions with international recruiting, especially within the diaspora. In South America and the entire continent of Africa, volleyball is very popular among young boys and we wanted to really position our schools to benefit from that.”

Baptiste added that there was a fundraising element that went along with the research and individuals like Wade Gerard, CEO of First Point Volleyball Foundation helped bring the vision to life.

New avenue for International Communities

All of the SIAC rosters boast a diverse group of players and Tyler Williams, SIAC Associate Commissioner of Communications, said that by adding the sport, HBCUs were able to provide an important opportunity in international communities.

 “The interest in volleyball was already there in South America and also within the Caribbean,” she said. “But volleyball is already really big there so for us to be able to give them an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level was something that they did not have and I think that’s where we kind of met the need with conference and with the men’s volleyball sport.”

The tournament is double-elimination and action continued Wednesday with Benedict eliminating Morehouse 3-0 and Fort Valley eliminating Kentucky State 3-0.

In the semi-finals, Benedict defeated Fort Valley 3-2. Central State eliminated Edward Waters 3-2.

Central State has punched its ticket to the SIAC Men’s Volleyball Championship and will play the winner of the Benedict, Edward Waters matchup. The two teams square off at 10 a.m. Thursday. The championship game is also scheduled for later that day at 1 p.m.

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Academically, McKinnon averages a 4.0 grade point average and chose HU because of the family atmosphere.

Leah Reeves (5-7 / Allen H.S. / Allen, Texas) — Setter

Reeves comes to The Mecca after a four-year career at Allen H.S. (Allen, Texas). As the captain of her team, she was named to the Academic All-State Team and All-District Team. Reeves was also placed on the Under Armour All-American watch list in 2021.

“Leah has the athleticism and accuracy as a setter to be successful at the highest levels,” said Kupferberg. “She has a quick and aggressive style that makes her one of the most dynamic setters in her class. Leah makes an impact in every play and I’m excited to have her on our court this fall.”

Reeves chose HU because of its academic excellence and family environment.

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FAMU will return to the highest of the seven hills with hardware and an automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament, its first appearance since 2009. 

FAMU 3, JSU 2 (25-20, 26-28, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13)

Florida A&M saw its 17-9 lead dwindle to three at 18-15, but the added pressure proved to be a non-factor. Back-to-back kills by Jasmine Robinson thwarted the Tigers’ run, and FAMU had three chances at set point before a service error cemented the 25-20 score. The Rattlers maintained their momentum through the second set, remaining in front until a kill by Alexis Williams earned the No. 1 seed its first lead at 23-22. Four ties ensued, and FAMU eyed set point at 24-23, 25-24, and 26-25, yet the Tigers recorded the 28-26 decision.

FAMU led, trailed, and led again with the help of six unanswered points, and the 2021 SWAC Setter of the Year was instrumental in the stretch. Irem Ucar assisted Dominique Washington in back-to-back kills before recording one of her own, and later regained the Rattlers’ edge on an assisted block. They led 16-13 at the end of the run, but JSU responded on a 9-2 rally. 

Jackson State claimed the third set, 25-23, and the same score favored FAMU in the fourth. It all came down to the fifth and final set, where the 2021 champions led the entire way. 

Washington finished with a double-double on a game-high 28 kills with 15 digs, while Emerald Jacobs respectively added 15 and eight with three blocks. Ucar also notched a double-double on 54 assists and 16 digs. 

FAMU will learn of its postseason opponent during the NCAA Division I selection show, which airs Sunday, Nov. 28, at 8:30 p.m. on ESPNU. 

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The Broncos (23-6), who won their second straight CIAA title, were led in the championship match by Kalee Vanderhorst with a team-high nine kills along with Casandra Watson six kills and 13 digs and Da’Nesha Miller with six kills, 15 assists, and seven digs. Watson and Miller were named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts.

FSU’s Jaida Bynum also contributed 18 assists while defensive specialist Jasmine Jacinto totaled a match-high 19 digs. Both players were named to the All-Tournament team

Shaw got a double-double from CIAA Setter of the Year Breelyn Clark match-high 28 assists and 10 digs along with a match-high 12 kills from Noelani Beard and seven kills from Kamille Patrick. Clark and Patrick were also named to the All-Tournament team

The Lady Bears, who made their sixth-consecutive appearance in the CIAA championship match, finish the season with an 18-6 record.

Joining Watson, Miller, Jacinto, Bynum, Clark, and Patrick on the All-Tournament team were Virginia State’s Jodorrian Taylor, Claflin’s Simone Newell, and Elizabeth City State’s Aasia McNeill.

Miller once again displayed an all-around game throughout the tournament for the Broncos with 31 kills, 40 assists, 21 digs, and nine total blocks in three matches, averaging a double-double in kills and assists. The senior from Hilton Head Island, SC was named the Food Lion Tournament Most Valuable Player for the second straight time, as voted on by the tournament committee and head coaches.

Fayetteville State receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament, which will start December 2 at a location yet to be determined. The Broncos will learn their opponent and seed when the 64-team field is announced during the NCAA Division II Selection Show, which is set to air Monday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

2021 CIAA Volleyball All-Tournament Team

Jodorrian Taylor, Virginia State University
Simone Newell, Claflin University
Aasia McNeill, Elizabeth City State University
Breelyn Clark, Shaw University
Kamille Patrick, Shaw University
Casandra Watson, Fayetteville State University
Jaida Bynum, Fayetteville State University
Jasmine Jacinto, Fayetteville State University
Da’Nesha Miller, Fayetteville State University – Food Lion Tournament MVP

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• In their second match of the weekend, Alabama State started strong in the opening set, gaining an early 11-5 lead over Auburn and forcing a timeout.
• After the break, the Tigers battled back to get within two points at 13-11, forcing a Hornet timeout.
• Alabama State responded with another run, forcing another Tiger timeout after going up 18-13 after two kills from Jada Rhodes (Tallahassee, Fla.) and blocks from Kalysia Bates (Phenix City, Ala.) and Lauren Hughes (Lancaster, Texas).
• Out of the second break, the Hornets continued to control the set and finished with the win in the opening set 25-20.
• The second set was all Auburn, as the Tigers stormed out to an early lead, forcing a timeout from Alabama State with the score at 9-5.
• Auburn remained in control however, finding themselves up 19-13 heading into another timeout and finished on a six-point run to take the set 25-13.
• The third set closed in a similar fashion, with Auburn controlling most of the set, including forcing two timeouts again from the Hornets, and taking the third set 25-15.
• Alabama State responded in the fourth, taking a 5-1 lead early, however the Tigers tied the ball game at 12-12 and later at 16-16.
• The two teams battled for the remainder of the set, trading scores, and finding the game tied for a final time at 24-24, before an attack error from Auburn and a kill from Alexis Ratliff (Atlanta, Ga.).
• In the fifth and final set, the teams tied on 12 occasions and had four lead changes, with Alabama State taking the first lead of the frame.
• With the game tied 11-11, Alabama State called a timeout to regain momentum, and took a 15-14 lead after an Auburn attack error and won the game on another kill from Ratliff that was assisted by senior McKenzie Boland (Stockbridge, Ga.) to complete the upset.

MATCH NOTES

• Rhodes led the Hornets offensively with a career-high 21 kills, her fifth consecutive double-digit kill game to go along with eight digs, an ace, and a block.
• Junior Emersen Belles (Gilbert, Ariz.) recorded a team-high 14 digs on the night, and chipped in four assists and two aces, while sophomore A’Nylah Cobb (Tallahassee, Fla.) had a good defensive effort, logging 11 digs and three kills.
• Juniors Kalysia Bates and Alexis Ratliff also put forth good efforts with Bates finishing with 11 kills and two blocks, while Ratliff finished with eight kills and four digs, including the game-winning kill to take the match.

UP NEXT

Alabama State (3-12) will return to the court next week as they host Mississippi Valley State on Sunday, October 3. First serve is scheduled for 4 pm.

Follow the Hornets

For complete coverage of Alabama State University volleyball, follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateVB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

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The Hornets and Tigers will take the court on Sunday, September 26, with first serve scheduled for 3 pm in Lockhart Gymnasium.

Alabama State will host the Tigers for their second home match of the year, after starting the season with 13 straight matches away from Montgomery. The two programs have faced off 12 times so far, with the first matchup being held in 1975, and the last meeting being on August 29, 2017, in Auburn Arena. The Tigers currently hold a 9-3 series lead, with Alabama State taking victories in Auburn in 1977, and at a neutral site twice in 1986, all by scores of 2-0.

The Hornets will come into the matchup coming off their home-opener against Alabama A&M, which is also their first Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup of the year.

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Hampton volleyball gets the win over rival Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Va. — They say in rivalry contests you can always throw the records out.  The 2021 Battle of the Bay volleyball match was no exception on Tuesday night.

Clara Smith had 16 kills, the last of which set up match point for Hampton to lead three in double figures as the Lady Pirates defeated Norfolk State 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 21-25, 20-18 in front of 452 at Gill Gymnasium on the NSU campus.

The win was the first for new head coach Sonja Maksimovic and came with a wild fifth set that saw 12 ties and five lead changes.  Hampton held the largest lead of the final set at 6-3 after a Gabby Calloway kill.  Norfolk evened the match at seven following a Shonte Seal kill which was the first of 10 ties in the final 13 points.

Both teams had chances to win in the final stages as the teams were tied at 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.   Smith smashed Hampton to a 19-18 lead following her 16^th kill of the night and Hampton clinched the win after an attack error by the Spartans for the final point.

Hampton used an 8-3 run midway in the first set to gain a 14-9 lead after an attack error by NSU.  The Spartans got to within two points on a couple of occasions, but Hampton regained its five point advantage and won the opening set 25-19 after an Isis Black kill.

In the second, Hampton held the lead throughout as they were up as much as nine points after a service error to lead 20-11.  Norfolk State cut the lead in half, but the Lady Pirates used a Smith kill to take set two 25-20.

Alyah Barkley had 15 kills and five digs, while Calloway added 13 kills and nine digs and Brooke Irvin had 53 assists.   Jessica Pugh recorded 26 digs with Ana Baruh Krstic and Irvin next with 13.   Leanna Caldwell had four service aces and added seven digs.   

Norfolk State took sets three and four without giving up the lead to set up the wild fifth set.

Hampton volleyball (1-3) is now off until September 10 when they travel to William & Mary for a 6pm match

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“After a lot of thought and consideration, I’ve decided to recommit from the University of Hawaii,” Temple wrote on Twitter Wednesday. “I want to extend a huge thank you to the coaching staff there. I wish you all the best in the future.

“I also wanted to announce that I am now committed to Howard University! Go Bison.”

The 6’2 middle blocker from Baton Rouge had Howard as well as Florida A&M in her final couple of choices, but instead chose Hawaii. 

“They offered me about three weeks ago and I’ve been thinking about it ever since,” Temple told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “I decided it was the right decision for me. I feel comfortable with the coaches, I did a virtual campus tour and I loved it.”

Related: Howard volleyball goes to Africa

But after mulling over her decision, Temple realized she wanted to play at an HBCU.

“Over the past few months I’ve done a lot of reflection and I know that Hawaii is a top tier school, but I just couldn’t see myself anywhere but an HBCU,” Temple told HBCU Gameday. “And to me, Howard fulfills everything that I could want from a school. That’s including athletics, academics, and location.”

Howard Volleyball winning in recruiting

Howard volleyball has been dominating the MEAC for years, but it has also picked up some big wins in recruiting. Temple’s switch comes just months after Howard flipped recruits Bria and Cimone Woodward. The duo originally committed to Texas A&M before joining Howard. The twins told our Symone Stanley what the driving force behind their decision was.

“I just think it was more community-based,” Bria Woodard said. “Because we realized that we’ve been lacking that sense of community. We haven’t had it in our lives, yet. We really want to have a new experience, being around a large black community. I mean, we’re in Jack And Jill, which is awesome, we have a small community. But just having the big, like grand scheme of things, that would be amazing.”

More Than A (Two-Sport) Athlete

Temple is not only a star on volleyball court, she’s one on the basketball court as well. She’s been named honorable mention All-District on the court.

But sports aren’t the only thing she’s passionate about. During the uprising this summer, Temple organized a peaceful protest.

“I was just tired of sitting at home and seeing a new name almost every week, sometimes every day,” she told BRParents.com. “I wanted to get outside and just make my voice heard. I am not OK with this and a lot of people aren’t OK with it. We want the government and everybody to know that something needs to change.”

Student-athletes at HBCUs have a long history of speaking out about issues. It looks like Temple is already doing that.

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Jacksonville, Florida — Edward Waters College President & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Paul A. Bryant announced the launch of the new men’s volleyball program, a 2021-2022 initiative that will be supported in part by a $100,000 grant from First Point Volleyball Foundation and the national governing body of volleyball in the United States, USA Volleyball.

The new Edward Waters men’s volleyball program is part of a national effort to bring the sport to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s).

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“We are pleased to announce that Edward Waters College, distinctively the state of Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning as well as Florida’s first institution established for the education of African-Americans, will add yet another first to its storied history: the first Florida HBCU to add men’s volleyball to our cadre of intercollegiate athletics,” stated Dr. Faison. “As the institution continues to expand its profile in the administration of best-in-class competition, we will be onboarding approximately 16-20 young men who will honorably represent Tiger Nation and the Emerging Eminence of EWC.” Dr. Faison continued, “I want to thank First Point Volleyball Foundation and USA Volleyball for their support, as well as thank SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore and my fellow HBCU Presidents for extending Edward Waters College an initiation to formally join the SIAC.  Pending a successful transition this year, EWC will be positioned to qualify for and compete in the SIAC Championships.”

Last year, six HBCUs announced the addition of men’s volleyball via a $1 million grant from First Point and USA Volleyball to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Edward Waters College, upon its anticipated transition from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II level later this school year, expects to compete in the SIAC in its inaugural men’s volleyball season in 2021-2022.

In July of 2019, Edward Waters College was extended a formal invitation to join the SIAC. The College is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and competes in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). The Tigers compete as an NAIA Independent, but do have a scheduling agreement to compete against SIAC institutions. The SIAC is an NCAA Division II conference that is comprised of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with all but one of its members located in the Southeastern United States. Edward Waters was previously a member of the SIAC from 1930 to 1935.

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“I am pleased that Edward Waters College has been awarded a grant from the First Point Volleyball Foundation, supporting that institution’s efforts to sponsor men’s volleyball,” remarked SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore. “I also extend my congratulations to President Faison and his team as they seek to become the first HBCU to sponsor men’s volleyball in the state of Florida.”

Volleyball is the fastest growing team sport in the United States for high school boys, growing at a rate of 21% over the last five years and 29% over the last ten years. Men’s NCAA volleyball has also grown by 79% over the last ten years.

“We are so pleased to make a gift to Edward Waters College athletics. President Faison and Athletics Director Bryant are committed to providing more opportunities for young people to mature and develop through athletics. That is the kind of mission we are proud to support,” said First Point Volleyball Foundation CEO Wade Garard, a co-founder of the organization. “We are impressed with the upward momentum visible within the EWC Athletics community with the football stadium, new turf field, and improvements to the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex.”

“USA Volleyball is proud to be supporting this SIAC initiative to bring men’s varsity volleyball programs to another HBCU in Edward Waters College,” said Jamie Davis, Chief Executive Officer of USA Volleyball. “As the National Governing Body for volleyball, we strive to increase the diversity and inclusion in our sport.  I applaud the leadership of and vision being shown by Commissioner Moore and President Faison, which will surely increase the participation of black men playing volleyball and lead to new athletic and academic opportunities for young boys. This program will serve as a new ‘Path to the Podium’ for these men to potentially join our national teams and represent Team USA across the globe.”

“When a group from First Point Volleyball Foundation approached us about the possibility of adding men’s volleyball, it played well into our plans to expand sports offerings,” said Dr. Bryant, who has served since June 2019 as the ninth full-time Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in EWC history. “Boys’ volleyball is the fastest growing team sport in America for high school boys and there are lots of boys playing the sport in the state of Florida. Men’s professional volleyball is the third most popular sport in the world.”

“We want more opportunities for young people in this country to compete in collegiate athletics,” said John Speraw, volunteer chairman of First Point Volleyball Foundation, head coach of the USA Men’s National Volleyball team, and head coach of UCLA men’s volleyball. “When we founded First Point Volleyball Foundation, we envisioned supporting growth in NCAA Division II. Dr. Bryant is a qualified AD ready to lead EWC from NAIA to NCAA Division II and we are excited about the opportunity to be a part of EWC’s growth. The entire SIAC project is very important to USA Volleyball and also to our supporters of First Point Volleyball Foundation.”

Speraw further added, “We talk at USA Volleyball about the ‘Path to the Podium’. It is not outlandish to think that a young man playing at EWC in the SIAC conference in 2021 could be an Olympian in 2028 or 2032. Our work at First Point Volleyball is providing more opportunities for young people and it is also building a pipeline for more success at the international level for Team USA for decades to come.”

Edward Waters College is in the preliminary stages of conducting a national search for a head coach of the new program. Inquiries should be directed to Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Paul A. Bryant at tigers_sports@EWC.edu.

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A native of Orangeburg, S.C., Chymaine Guinyard played four years for the Lady Panthers.  She was a member of the 2014 team that captured the school’s first-ever Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)  championship and the school’s first-ever automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship.

Prior to joining the Lady Panthers coaching staff, Guinyard was the head volleyball coach at Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, SC.  In her only season at Calhoun County, Guinyard guided her team to the Class 2A playoffs.  One of the players that played for her ended up being featured as the WLTX Player of the Week while another was named to the Class 2A All-Region Team.

Guinyard has spent the past seven years coaching club volleyball in South Carolina.  In 2012 and 2013, she coached the Branchville Juniors Club Volleyball Team in Branchville, S.C.  In addition to her duties at Claflin, she also serves as coach of the Orangeburg Lady Cubs Club Volleyball Team in Orangeburg, S.C.
 
Guinyard is a Charter Member of the Timothy J. Autry Theta Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also serves as the University lead for the APPLE Training Institute/NCAA Sport Science Collaborative and is IMPACT certified through the Palmetto Volleyball Association as well as a member of USA Volleyball. 
 
Guinyard received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Claflin in 2016. 
 

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Not everyone gets the opportunity to play on the collegiate level. But, God granted Maricle what she considered a chance of a lifetime. Volleyball, a sport that has been at the center of her life from a very young age, was her dream.

The Centennial, Colorado native played four years on the varsity volleyball team at Eaglecrest High School. It was during her teenage years that she learned the important concepts of hard work, dedication and commitment to her craft. For these traits not only prepared her to play at the collegiate level, they prepared her for the unforeseen journey of obstacles that life can bring.

“I was used to playing with older and more experienced players so mentally I was prepared to work for a starting spot,” Maricle said.

“I also played on a high-level club volleyball team so that prepared me for the higher level of play.

Welcome to the South

Maricle, 21, left the friendly confines of Centennial — a city right outside of Denver — and traveled 1,700 miles from the rugged mountains of the Mountain West to the hot and humid temperatures of the rural Deep South.

Her destination — Alcorn State University.

Deep in the woods of Lorman, Mississippi — past the only major city of note, Vicksburg, Maricle began her collegiate volleyball career. But for the former middle blocker, her career did not start nor did it finish as Langston Hughes mentioned in his “Mother to Son” poem as a “crystal stair.”

“My freshman season was very challenging because I was in a new place, on a new team, and had to adjust to many things,” Maricle said.

That adjustment, however, was not too difficult statistically as Maricle finished the season as the 2015 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Freshman of the Year.

“I honestly did not even know that awards were given out at the end of the season, I was just working hard and playing the game that I love,” Maricle said.

“Winning the awards at end of the season came as a surprise to me.”

A New Opponent

Things, however, would soon shift gears for Maricle in ways that she never imagined before. In January of 2016, following a stellar freshman campaign, her life took an unexpected turn for the worse. A sports medicine doctor found a tumor on her shinbone after conducting an X-ray.

Maricle went to see a tumor specialist following an MRI. She found out roughly two weeks later she was diagnosed with periosteal osteosarcoma — a rare bone cancer — in her left proximal tibia (shinbone). At that moment, a whirlwind of thoughts filled her mind.

“I was a good girl, I got good grades, I worked hard on and off the court, I was a good person, why me,” Maricle said.

“But, on the first day, I told the doctor I was going to be a medical mystery.”

Maricle kept the mindset that she would not be defeated or held back from a normal life, even after the doctor prepped her for the nine-hour procedure she would undergo to have the cancer removed.

“My doctor told me to prepare myself to be out of school for about a year but I was determined to get back to school to graduate with my class,” Maricle said.

Staying in the SWAC

However, Maricle did not want to stay in Colorado for school but she did not want to go a place where she did not know anyone. Having known some people at Alcorn, she made the choice to attend Jackson State.

When she enrolled in school, her determination was relentless. There were many long nights and tough times where she did not know how she was going to stay the course of her journey.

But, Maricle enjoyed the chaos — the ambition and the persistence to crush her obstacles and accomplish her goals such as graduating with her class.

“I took 24 credit hours in spring 2018 semester, 21 through JSU and a three-hour online class at Alcorn,” Maricle said.

“I was not really much of a party girl so I was completely fine with focusing on school.”

She finished that semester with a 3.6 GPA.

This level of academic focus was only the beginning of what was in store for her.

The Big Break

In December of 2018, she enrolled in a class to receive her Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) license. Just getting in the class, however, came with some twists, turns and uncertainty.

“There was no way I should’ve gotten in the class,” Maricle said.

“I called before Thanksgiving and was told there were two classes being offered but both had three people in front of me on the waiting list.”

Keeping her faith and persistent attitude, Maricle got in the class and passed her state board exam in January, earning her license.

It’s moments like those for Maricle that reminded her to keep going and to never give up on what she wanted to do. Battling cancer and taking exhausting loads of academic courses — as if those two obstacles were not enough to deal with — being a first-generation college student served as added fuel to her fire and drive to be great.

On May 4, all of the hard work paid off when Maricle walked across the stage inside the Lee. E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center, earning a Bachelor’s degree in biology and gleaming with joy and emotion.

Twelve days before graduation, Maricle had a revision surgery on her shinbone because her implant broke while taking graduation photos, roughly a week and a half before finals. A moment that she had longed awaited and worked hard to achieve still came with obstacles.

But like any other difficult time, she prevailed.

“There were a lot of moments where I stood there and couldn’t believe I was graduating on time,” Maricle said.

“Not everyone knows my story but I worked really hard to get back on my feet and when people ask me how I got through it, I give all of the credit to God.”

Therapy

After her faith in God comes Maricle’s mother and stepfather, two individuals who were with her every step of the way.

“My dad not only was a person I could go to when I just needed to cry or when I was in a bad situation,” Maricle said.

“After my first follow-up appointment after the initial surgery, he asked if there would be someone I could talk about my emotions and challenges I had internally. I am so thankful he asked because therapy has helped me in so many ways.”

Maricle’s journey serves as evidence that life does not always go as planned and neither will it always make sense. In the midst of her troubles and worries, therapy along with her friends saved her life.

“I gained some friends that would never let me fall,” Maricle said.

“They were always there, even when I pushed them away. They allowed me to heal mentally, emotionally, physically and held me accountable.”

Those friendships — which stemmed from her involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) — is what the young girl from the Midwest will miss the most about her college experience.

Time to Give Back

With a newly acquired degree and three years of being cancer free, Maricle will set out to impact the world by helping people who faced similar circumstances as she did. She plans to apply for physician assistant school. She plans to work as a nursing aide at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado, the hospital that saved her life until she’s accepted into school.

“After physician assistant school, I want to work with children and young adults who have cancer because I understand what they are feeling,” Maricle said.

“I want to share my experience with them and I have faith in the fact that all of this happened to me to help someone else.”

For Maricle, what started out as a journey to be a prolific volleyball player turned into a test of faith and even greater testimony of motivation and persistence to overcome the odds against her.

“Sometimes, life is going to suck and everyday will not be a good day,” Maricle said.

“No matter how dark things may seem, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

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WASHINGTON (February 25, 2019) — Howard University women’s volleyball setter Tamia Dockery competed in the U.S. Women’s National Team Open Volleyball tryouts at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Tryouts were held March 1-3.

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Dockery was amongst 44 setters vying for a spot on the U.S. Women’s National Team and the U.S. Collegiate National Team programs. U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly will direct the entire tryout process. She was the only student-athlete from an HBCU invited.

Selected athletes for the U.S. Women’s National Team may begin their training in Anaheim, California, as early as the spring of 2019, or when an athlete’s scholastic or professional club season has concluded.

The U.S. Collegiate National Team program has three competition options:
U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team — World University Games, Italy, June 30-July 14
U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team — Japan, May 19-30
U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team — Anaheim, Calif., June 23-29Selections for the U.S. Collegiate National Teams will be made by the end of March.

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• Prairie View A&M overcame a 1-0 set deficit to defeat Southern in four frames and improve to 4-3 in SWAC play (4-15 overall). Southern dropped to 1-6 in league standings (2-14 overall).
• Cetara Carter led the Lady Panthers with 13 kills. Jaylan Thomas — who came in as the league leader in kills per set during conference play — added 12 kills and 11 digs, and Latrice Brown put away 11. Alyssa Caltado (22) and Erica Jimenez (18) combined for 40 assists.
• Christen Augustine collected 14 digs.
• Southern’s Paige Hall led the Lady Jaguars with 12 kills and five block assists. It was the third time in the past four matches Hall had crossed the 10-kill threshold.
• Arabella Hall added 10 kills. Vaterra Calais put up 29 assists, and Bailey Jefferson led with 11 kills.

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WASHINGTON (August 11, 2018) — The reigning three-time MEAC volleyball champions, Howard University, will host the No. 1 ranked Stanford Cardinals, No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 29 Wichita State Shockers in Burr Gymnasium for the first time in any of the teams’ history.

“Stanford, Penn and Wichita are some of the blue blood programs in our sport. For them to come to play at Howard is a great moment for our program,” head volleyball coach Shaun Kupferberg said. “It shows that we are doing something right and building a program that even the top teams in the nation see value in playing.”
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The Bison are predicted to finish second in the northern division of the MEAC according to its preseason honors announced on Friday. In the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason poll released this week, Stanford was voted as the No. 1 team in the country. A 2017 NCAA semifinal team, Stanford has been ranked in every AVCA preseason poll since its program began in 1982. It is one of two teams to appear in all 37 NCAA women’s volleyball tournaments. The only other team to accomplish that feat is the sixth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. The same Nittany Lions that the Bison upset during last year’s NCAA Tournament, handing Penn a loss in the second set. Penn had not lost a single set in the first round since 1991. On Sept. 14 the Bison will face them again. This time in Burr Gym.

“Playing elite teams won’t be new to us, but having them on our home court will be. The environment should be great and we are excited to show the Howard community what the highest levels of our sport looks like,” said Kupferberg.

The Bison have an impressive non-conference schedule hosting Wichita State in Burr the day before the Penn State match. Wichita went undefeated in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and has emerged as an elite, competitive team. The Shockers received 103 AVCA votes, landing them at No. 29 on the full AVCA poll. The matches against Wichita and Stanford are on August 26 and August 27, respectively. A busy season for the Bison at home, they will also host this year’s MEAC Championship Tournament in Burr Gym, November 16-18. To view Howard women’s volleyball full schedule online, visit www.hubison.com.

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The defending MEAC champions are currently in the midst of a fundraising drive as it prepares for its first international tour in Africa. The team announced on Friday that it is nearly halfway to its goal of $60k.
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College programs across the nation take international tours once every four years to train against national teams and experience cultures different from their own. Most head to Europe, South America, or China. Howard has set its sights on Botswana and Zimbabwe.

“The trip will include playing against elite teams in Africa but also receiving a rich cultural education,” a March release stated. “We will work with children in rural communities both athletically and socially. Our student-athletes will have the opportunity to volunteer in areas within their current field of study while broadening their worldview and expanding their mind. Volleyball will also be a great form of fellowship throughout our trip to get to know the local communities and break down cultural barriers.”

The cost of the trip is approximately $4,000 per for the Bison, who won their third-consecutive MEAC title last fall.

Click here to donate to the cause.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. |The ISTAP Collegiate Cup tournament wrapped up on Saturday on the campus of Alabama State with a thrilling matchup between N.C. A&T and Alabama State. The Aggies defeated Grambling State 3-1 (18-25, 25-12, 25-17, 25-19) Saturday morning at Lockhart Gymnasium to reach the final and almost jump started their season with a 3-0 start, which would have been their first 3-0 start since 2001.  The Hornets had other ideas after previously knocking off Savannah State on Friday night in the opening round.

Alabama State found itself down two sets headed to the locker room at intermission; however, they bounced back by winning the next sets to take a 3-2 (20-25,26-28,28-26,25-15,15-10) victory over the Aggies on Saturday night.

“What a great environment,” Alabama State University head coach Penny Lucas-White said. “I love our home fans, and I believe their energy just kind of permeated the whole building and it helped us tremendously.”

Ni’yesha Brown led three players in double figure kills, breaking her career best mark set just last night, as she finished a match-high 19 kills and nine digs. Krysta Medearis finished with 16 kills in the win, while Briana Dorsey chipped in with 11 for Alabama State (2-0).

https://twitter.com/BamaStateVB/status/901565815052525568

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“I am so proud of the way we played and especially the way Brittany Brown played,” White said. “She came off the bench and she passed, she served, she blocked, she did it all. Kayla (Torres) came in and did a phenomenal job. Everyone on the bench and the court, everyone was able to pull us back in the game.

“Tonight was an all out team effort. We are deeper than we have been in the past and that is incredible to know that if something is not working, we are not going to be afraid to try something else.”

Justus Tuiolosega recorded her first double-double of the season with 25 assists and 11 digs, while Asha Daniels finished with 13 digs. Kori Kutsch finished with a match-high 30 assists.

Seniors Alyssa Pitt and Jasmine Lindor and freshman Edie Brewer had superb weekends for N.C. A&T. Pitt posted a .355 hitting percentage in the tournament and averaged 3.17 kills and 1.0 blocks in 12 sets played. Lindor’s hitting percentage was .375, and she averaged 1.6 kills and 1.3 blocks. Brewer’s hitting percentage also exceeded .300 with a .358 hitting percentage over 12 sets, while averaging 2.0 kills, 6.3 assists and 1.5 digs.

“All in all, it was a good weekend for us,” said N.C. A&T coach Hal Clifton. “It allowed us to see where we are as a team and allowed us to see areas where we need to improve to be a top contender for a MEAC title.”

How It Happened

• Alabama State fell behind early, dropping the first two sets and faced a pair of match points by North Carolina A&T in the third set. However, Alabama State tied the match at 26-all on a Brown kill en route to winning the last three points of the set to cut the deficit to 2-1.
• Alabama State went on a 7-2 run in the fourth set to take a 14-7 lead, before opening the lead to as big as 11 (22-11) on a Medearis kill to run away with the set 25-16 to tie the match at 2-all.
• After North Carolina A&T took a 4-3 lead in the fifth and final set, Alabama State went on 7-1 run to take a 10-5 lead midway through the set. North Carolina A&T went on a small run to trim the deficit to 14-10 before Dorsey put the match away with a kill.

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ATLANTA — Benedict’s V’Aira Harris was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Preseason Offensive Player of the Year along with Jordan Wallace of Claflin University who was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, announced Tuesday by the league office.

All conference honors are voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Harris, a 5’6 junior outside hitter recorded 159 kills in conference matches, averaging 3.0 per set. The Columbia, S.C. native hit .272 against SIAC opponents while finishing with 188 digs, 136 assists, 20 aces, and 19 blocks. Harris recorded four triple-doubles last season against North Greenville University (13 kills, 12 assists, 10 digs), Tuskegee University (15 kills, 16 assists, 12 digs), Central State University (10 kills, 11 assists, 15 digs), and Clark Atlanta University (19 kills, 11 assists, 20 digs). She also finished with 13 double-doubles and led her team in kills (317).

Wallace led the conference in blocks (96) averaging 1.02 per set. The 6’2 middle blocker from Charlotte, N.C. tallied 182 kills and was third in the conference in hitting percentage (.301). She finished with five or more blocks on 10 occasions and recorded 64 blocks (1.10/set) in conference matches. Wallace finished with a season-high 18 kills against Benedict (Nov. 17).

Claflin was picked to win the east division for the third consecutive season. The Panthers garnered 78 points in the poll and nine first-place votes. Benedict (58) was predicted to finish second, followed by Clark Atlanta (56), Albany State (55), Fort Valley State (26), and Paine (21).

Spring Hill (90) was picked atop the west division for the third straight year. The Badgers, who received 11 first-place votes have amassed a 54-1 conference record over the last three seasons. Kentucky State, the reigning SIAC champion followed in second with 84 points and three first-place votes. Tuskegee was picked third (77) ahead of Miles (49). LeMoyne-Owen (36), Central State (32), and Lane (31).

First Team                                 Position                                

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Second Team        

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: V’Aira Harris, Benedict
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan Wallace, Claflin

Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
(First-place votes in parentheses)

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RALEIGH, NC — The Shaw University women’s volleyball team is set for the 2017 season as two-time Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Coach of the Year – head coach DiShondra Goree announced her team’s upcoming 2017 schedule. Shaw will face 13 non-conference opponents, including one team that participated in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. The Lady Bears will see action in two non-conference tournaments and two conference round-ups this season.

“I am looking forward to a successful 2017 volleyball season,” said Goree. “It was my goal to strengthen our upcoming 2017 schedule by adding more regional opponents and competing against teams that either won their conference or earned 20+ wins last season.”

The Lady Bears ended the 2016 season with a 22-8 record, and claimed the 2016 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) title after going 15-1 within the conference. For the second-consecutive year, the Lady Bears reach the 20-win mark. Shaw is set to begin the 2017 season with a total of 12 returning players who was a part of the championship run a season ago, including all seven starters.

Shaw will begin the season with an exhibition match with Wake Tech and an alumni scrimmage before its season opener and home opener versus Claflin, who finished the season 19-8 a year ago, Sept. 1 in C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

The Lady Bears will hit the road for an 11-game skid from Sept. 5 to Sept. 21, including participating in the Concord Classic in Athens, WV (Sept. 5-9) and the CIAA Round-Up (Sept. 15-17) in Winston-Salem, NC. On Sept. 21, SU will begin divisional play with a road match at Livingstone.

For its second home contest on the season, Shaw will host Lees-McRae for the first time in program history (Sept. 22) and will meet Johnson C. Smith (Sept. 25) for a conference division matchup.

Goree added, “I want to compete against the best so that we can get battle-ready for our CIAA conference opponents. I also wanted to compete against teams of which Shaw Volleyball has not competed against in recent memory. It is important to me that my program is exposed to different levels of competitive volleyball.”

The Southern Division Champions will then face Elizabeth City State, (Sept. 30), Virginia State (Sept. 30) and Bowie State (Oct. 1) in the second CIAA Round-Up in Petersburg, Va. Four days later, the Lady Bears will host Winston-Salem State on Oct. 5, following a three-game road slate at Fayetteville State (Oct. 9), Saint Augustine’s (Oct. 12) and Claflin (Oct. 14).

After a home match versus Livingstone on Oct. 16, Shaw will wrap up the nonconference portion of the schedule with road contests at the Barton College Tri-Match. The Lady Bears will take on both Mount Olive and Barton on Oct. 21 in Wilson, NC. The following week, Shaw will stay on the road, when they travel to Johnson C. Smith (Oct. 23) and Winston-Salem State on Oct. 30 for CIAA Southern Division action.

The Lady Bears will wrap up the home portion of the schedule and conclude the regular season Nov. 6 and Nov. 9, when Shaw takes on Fayetteville State and Saint Augustine’s.

The league championship that will be contested on the week of Nov. 17-19 and will once again be a bracket-style tournament with eight teams qualifying based upon league standings at the end of the regular season. The championships are schedule to be held in Petersburg, Va., at the Virginia State University Multipurpose Center.

Dates and times are subject to change. All Shaw home volleyball games are free admission. A complete schedule can be found here.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw women’s volleyball and its 13 varsity sport teams, please visit www.shawbears.com.

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The slate will feature 10 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matches and 13 non-conference tilts.

NCCU’s first nine contests will be played over the course of three weekend tournaments.

The Lady Eagles will open up the campaign with a trio of matches at the Campbell University Invitational on Friday–Saturday, Sept. 26-27. NCCU will follow that trend for two more weeks with three weekend games apiece at the Runnin’ Bulldog Classic hosted by Gardner-Webb University (Sept. 1-2) and the Phoenix Classic hosted by Elon University (Sept. 8-9).

NCCU’s early-season competition at those neutral sites will include The Citadel, Tennessee Tech University, Wofford College, USC Upstate, Norfolk State University and Charleston Southern University.

The Lady Eagles will make their home debut against Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, Sept. 12 in the first of eight matches scheduled to be contested inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.

NCCU will round out non-conference play with a home-and-away series against East Carolina University, playing in Greenville on Sept. 19 and at home on Halloween. The maroon and gray will also host Elon on Oct. 3.

MEAC play will once again consist of 10 matches, playing the other five Southern Division rivals in home-and-away series. The Lady Eagles will begin league play by hosting local archrival North Carolina A&T on Thursday, Sept. 28, which will also start a four-match homestand as the calendar flips into October. NCCU will visit the Aggies on Oct. 27. The Lady Eagles final four home MEAC matches will be against South Carolina State University (Oct. 6), Savannah State University (Oct. 8), Florida A&M University (Nov. 10) and Bethune-Cookman University (Nov. 12).

Six of NCCU’s eight home matches are on weeknights and those half dozen showdowns will all begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free for all home contests.

The Lady Eagles will also embark on a four-match league road swing that will include three matches in four days against the Rattlers in Tallahassee, Florida, the Wildcats in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the Lady Tigers in Savannah, Georgia.

The 2017 MEAC Championship will return to the campus of University of Maryland Eastern Shore (MDES) in Princess Anne on the weekend of Friday–Sunday, Nov. 17–19. The top four teams from both the Northern and Southern Divisions will qualify for postseason play in the tourney quarterfinals.

For the most current volleyball schedule and news, fans are encouraged to visit the NCCU Athletics Official Website at NCCUEaglePride.com.

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The tournament was originally scheduled to take place at WSSU on Nov. 16-17. However, the incident that ended up cancelling the football championship game postponed those volleyball matches as well.

According to a press release, CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter convened calls with the CIAA board of directors, the directors of athletics at the four participating institutions and the volleyball committee, after which it was agreed to hold the matches at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C.

“There was a clear interest in exploring ways to resume the volleyball championship,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter. Fayetteville State kindly agreed to be the host, and we’re grateful that our student-athletes will have this opportunity to compete.”

The four team field will consist of Virginia State, Fayetteville State, Chowan and Winston-Salem State.

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