Simon leads Bethune-Cookman past South Carolina State

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Rhea Simon had nine kills and two service aces as Bethune-Cookman downed South Carolina State 3-0 (25-12,25-23,25-23) in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division match on B-CU’s Senior Day Sunday in Historic Moore Gym.

Delicia Pierre added six kills and five service aces as the Lady Cays (6-22 overall, 5-2 MEAC) snapped a seven-match losing streak to the Bulldogs (3-20,2-5) dating back to 2009.

B-CU had seven service aces in the first set – including two each by Simon, Pierre and Jennifer Jimenez – as it posted its largest set margin of victory of the season.

South Carolina State led 22-16 in the second set, but B-CU rallied by scoring nine of the final ten points. Pierre closed out the set with a five-point service run that included a block by Simon and Lauren Turner of MEAC Player Of The Year Desire Waller that tied it at 23-23. Simon had two points on the comeback run.

Destiny Hudson had three kills in the third set as B-CU advance to match point at 24-18. South Carolina State scored five unanswered points to close to one point but a Bulldog service error gave the Lady Cats the victory.

Jimenez, the team’s lone senior honored in pre-match ceremonies, led B-CU with nine digs. Alexas Thomas had 21 assists.

For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.scsuathletics.com

 

 

Morgan State sweeps Hampton in MEAC action

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Hampton University volleyball team fell in straight sets to Morgan State on Sunday in Hill Field House, as the Lady Bears won 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 27-25).

The Lady Pirates (13-10, 7-2 MEAC) have dropped consecutive matches for the first time since Sept. 20-21.

Junior rightside Vendula Strakova led the way with 22 kills, while junior outside hitter Sonja Maksimovic added 16 kills and hit a team-best .375 (four errors in 32 attacks).

Senior setter Bibiany Fonseca had 38 of Hampton’s 40 assists, while senior libero Sheileen Pagan had a team-high seven digs.

The Lady Pirates hit .189 (46 kills, 22 errors in 127 attacks) for the match, while Morgan State (10-12, 5-4 MEAC) hit .255 (40 kills, 15 errors in 98 attacks) for the match. The Lady Bears held a 3-1 edge in service aces.

Zuri Smith led the Lady Bears with 14 kills.

For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com or www.morganstatebears.com

 

 

Coppin State rallies to down Norfolk State

BALTIMORE -- Coppin State staged another dramatic rally on Sunday as the Eagles came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Norfolk State 19-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-11 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference match in the Physical Education Complex.

The Eagles extended their home-court winning streak to six straight with the victory over the Spartans.

Sophomore Cindy Okpegbue led four players in double figures in kills with 14. Denali Sturgeon and Ariel Richard each had 12 kills and Kandace Thomas added 11 kills.

With the win, Coppin State improved to 9-15 overall and 5-4 in the MEAC, while Norfolk State dropped to 9-15 overall and 5-4 in conference play.

Richard had a double-double for Coppin State as she also had 11 digs, while Jasmine Burton topped the Eagles with 13 digs.

Coppin State out-blocked Norfolk State 9-4 as Richard and Thomas each had five blocks.

Norfolk State was led by Goda Jankauskaite who had 21 kills, while Coralie Jarema had 18 kills. Noelle Eagles had a match-high 17 digs for the Spartans.

For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com or www.nsuspartans.com