Sabrina Johnson led the attack in the win over Saint Augustine's with 14 kills and two solo blocks
Box Score vs. Saint Augustine's |
Box Score vs. Armstrong Atlantic
Charlotte, N.C. – The Johnson C. Smith University women's volleyball team was victorious in their 2012 home debut against CIAA Southern Division rival Saint Augustine's University 3-2 during the first day of the JCSU Volleyball Tournament held inside Brayboy Gymnasium on Friday afternoon. The Golden Bulls fell to Armstrong Atlantic State University later in the evening to move their record to 1-6 overall with a 1-4 conference mark.
The Golden Bulls are hosting Armstrong Atlantic State, the University of South Carolina-Aiken, Fayetteville State, and Saint Augustine's for a two-day round robin tournament.
In the first match of the day, JCSU challenged the Lady Falcons and won the initial set 25-22. Saint Augustine's rebounded by winning the second and third sets (25-20, 25-16). However, the Golden Bulls rallied around the energy of their home crowd for victories in the fourth and fifth sets (25-17, 15-9).
Junior outside hitter
Sabrina Johnson (Columbia, SC) led the offensive attack with 14 kills off 22 attempts. Johnson also recorded four service aces, two solo blocks, and a block assist in the win. Junior setter
Kayla Bazemore (Fayetteville, NC) pitched a team-high 17 assists as well as two aces and a dig.
The win over the Lady Falcons snaps a 27-match winless streak that began during the 2011 season and followed the team into 2012. The Golden Bulls also win their first match at home since October 16, 2010. The team failed to earn a home victory during the 2011 campaign.
“Today's win at home is a symbol of rebirth in a sense,” said JCSU head coach
Mark Raley. “This is my first season back with the volleyball team at Johnson C. Smith University and I'm confident that a quality program is being established. With the support of the administration, the student body, and our alumni, as well as continued dedicated from the student-athletes; we can accomplish some great things this year and beyond.”
Raley led the Golden Bulls' volleyball team to an 11-14 record during his first stint as head coach in 2003.
In the other matches during day one, USC-Aiken trumped Fayetteville State 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-23); while Armstrong Atlantic State went a perfect 3-0 with wins over JCSU (3-0), Fayetteville State (3-0), and Saint Augustine's (3-0).
The second and final day of the tournament begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 22nd with Saint Augustine's facing USC-Aiken. JCSU will then play back to back matches against USC-Aiken at 1:00 p.m. and Fayetteville State at 3:00 p.m. All matches will take place inside Brayboy Gymnasium.
