Box Score Charlotte, N.C. (Oct. 28, 2014)-- The Johnson C. Smith volleyball team, after trailing two-sets-to-none, won three-straight sets to take a thrilling 3-2 CIAA win over rival Livingstone on Tuesday night in Brayboy Gym.
In the first set, the Golden Bulls never led, as Livingstone steadily built a 10-4 lead. A JCSU comeback bid led by
Jane Tukia (Tempe, Ariz.) drew the score to 11-10, but the Blue Bears responded, extending their lead to 20-13 and never looked back. The Blue Bears were paced by Carrie Blunt as she had five kills in the first frame.
Livingstone would take set two in similar fashion. Tied at 10-10, Livingstone would take charge, going on an 8-0 run to pull away. The Blue Bears would close out the set, taking a 25-14 win and boosting its lead to 2-0.
Momentum shifted in the third set. Tied at 8-8, the Golden Bulls would go on an 8-3 run, forcing Livingstone to call timeout following an ace by junior
Khadijah Segura (Minneapolis, Minn.). JCSU would continue the strong play in the third set, taking a 25-20 win, sealed by a
Gracyn Doctor (Charleston, S.C.) kill.
In the fourth set, JCSU took control early. After taking a 4-3 lead, the Golden Bulls never trailed, building the lead to as large as seven at 21-14. JCSU would take the fourth set, tying the match after Livingstone's Rukiya Garland's serve found the net.
In the fifth set, JCSU took a 2-1 lead and never looked back. The Golden Bulls led by as many as six at 10-4. Tukia would provide the game-winner, providing the 15-11 final in set five.
The Golden Bulls were led by Doctor's 14 kills.
Kathleen Janda (Parker Heights, Tex.) had 11 kills. Tukia finished with 10 kills and 13 digs. Mercedes Jones (Reidsville, N.C.) would tally 10 digs while Segura added 40 assists.
The Golden Bulls improve to 11-9 overall, 8-6 in CIAA play. Livingstone falls to 17-10 overall, 5-9 in CIAA play.
JCSU travels to Benedict College for a non-conference matchup at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.
