JCSU Volleyball Sweeps Past Rival Livingstone, 3-0

Charlotte, N.C. (Oct. 5, 2017) –The Johnson C. Smith University volleyball team had no trouble with the visiting Blue Bears, sweeping a 3-0 CIAA Southern Division match at Brayboy Gym on Thursday night in Brayboy Gym.

In set one, JCSU never trailed, jumping out to a sizable 14-4 lead. In the set, the Golden Bulls managed a .412 hitting percentage, connecting for nine kills on 17 attacks.  JCSU also recorded six aces in the first frame.

Set two saw more of the same, as JCSU bolted to a quick 8-2 lead.  Livingstone would cut the JCSU cushion to 8-6, but JCSU would regroup to push the Golden Bull lead to 18-8 after rattling off eight straight points to extend the lead to 18-6. JCSU would eventually take the 25-17 win and a 2-0 lead.

In the third set, the Golden Bulls took control early again, this time jumping to an 8-5 lead, but Livingstone rallied to knot the set at 8-8, forcing a JCSU timeout.

After the stoppage, JCSU stretched the lead to 20-13, then outscored the Blue Bears 5-3 to end the match, taking the third set 25-16.

As a team, the Golden Bulls hit for a .286 percentage, knocking down 33 kills on 77 attacks.  Anteesha Smoots (San Antonio, Tex.) and Gorana Bogdanovic (Belgrade, Serbia) each managed nine kills while teammate Makayla Adams (Michigan City, Ind.) had six.  Azha McNeil (Fayetteville, N.C.) dished 17 assists while Georgina Diaz (Lincolnton, N.C.) had a team-high nine digs.  Adams also managed five block assists.

The win improves JCSU to 9-3 overall, 7-2 in CIAA play and 2-1 in Southern Division action.  Livingstone falls to 3-9, 2-6 in league play and 0-3 in the division.

Next up for the Golden Bulls is a 1:00 p.m. road matchup with Morris College on Saturday, Oct. 7.