Kayla Bazemore received All-Tournament honors during the Columbus State Invitational by recording 51 assists, 20 digs, and 10 kills during the three matches
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Columbus, GA – The Johnson C. Smith University women's volleyball team opened the 2013 season with a three-match tournament hosted by Columbus State University held September 6-7. The Golden Bulls fell in their first match in three sets (25-14, 25-18, 25-18) to the hosting Columbus State. JCSU recovered in their next match and trumped Fort Valley State University 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-16), but dropped their final match 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-17) to Limestone.
In the initial match against Columbus State, senior setter Kayla Bazemore (Fayetteville, NC) led the attack with a team-high five kills, seven assists, and six digs. Katie Poole and Erika Gelzinyte paced the Lady Cougars with nine and eight kills, respectively. Kierston Smith and Ivana Kazic set their teammates up for 17 and 15 assists, respectively in the three-set victory.
Juniors Imeshia Jones (Reidsville, NC) and Jane Tukia (Temple, AZ) led JCSU to victory over Fort Valley State. Jones had a team-high eight kills, while Tukia added seven kills, 10 digs, and eight service aces. Freshman Breneshia Green (Orangeburg, SC) and sophomore Gracyn Doctor (Charleston, SC) each had six kills of their own. Bazemore had a match and season-high 24 assists.
Despite the last match going to Limestone in three sets, JCSU produced a strong defensive effort. Senior Sabrina Johnson (Columbia, SC) had 13 digs along with five kills. Bazemore pitched in 10 digs with 20 assists and five kills. Jones contributed with nine digs and five kills.
Erin Courtenay and Regan Youngs were a dominating one-two punch offensively for the Saints. Courtenay and Youngs combined for 24 kills and Elayna Meachum dished out 32 assists along with seven digs in the Limestone three set win.
Bazemore was the lone Golden Bull to earn All-Tournament honors over the weekend. She recorded 51 assists, 20 digs, and 10 kills during the three matches. Jane Tukia and Imeshia Jones both received All-Tournament team honorable consideration.
"I'm really excited about our team this year, I feel like we can hold our own with any team," said JCSU head coach
Mark Raley. "We're young, but athletic and we should continue to progress throughout the season."
With the conclusion of the tournament, JCSU moves to 1-2 on the year. The team will return to action on Wednesday, September 11th against nearby Johnson & Wales University of Charlotte. Match play is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the JWU Student Center.
