Nov. 20, 2009

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BALTIMORE, Md. - The LadyCats of Bethune-Cookman Volleyball came out on top today at the Coppin Center, facing Morgan State in the first round of the MEAC Volleyball Championships. The Lady Bears of Morgan State gave the LadyCats several tight games, but B-CU came out with the win, 3-1, winning in scores of 30-28, 25-18 (L), 25-20, and 25-17.

In the opening set of the tournament, the score remained tight early in the set, trading scores until MSU started to build an advantage. Finding themselves down 17-10, the LadyCats rallied up and came back to knot up the score at 20 all. However, the battle wasn't over, in a set featuring eleven tied scores and three lead changes. The set pushed beyond regulation scoring, and remained deadlocked until B-CU broke out at 28-27, and separated themselves enough to win the first set 30-28.

In the second set, the teams faced the same situation, but it turned out to be a reversal. It was tight in the early going, and B-CU pushed out on top, 12-9, before the tide started to turn for MSU and the Lady Bears took off on an 11-3 run, holding on to win 25-18.

Coming out of the break, B-CU claimed an early advantage and held it all the way to a 9-9 tie, which B-CU broke with a 4-0 run. Although the score remained close with MSU staying within two scores, a 7-2 B-CU scoring run gave the LadyCats the edge and an eight-point lead. B-CU held off MSU and went on to win the third set, 25-20.

In the final set, B-CU carried over the momentum and led the fourth set all but for one tied score at 7-7, doubling up scores on the Lady Bears of MSU, and riding that momentum all the way to a commanding 25-17 victory in the set, and a 3-1 victory in the match.

The LadyCats came out on the offensive, collecting a season-high 63 team kills in the match, with all players hitting a positive attack percentage and .207 as a team. Leading the B-CU offense, Kaiyana Johnson and Chelle Ticeson each finished with 15 kills apiece, followed by Jessica Wilson with 13 kills. Everyone got in on the defensive effort, also notching a season-high 77 team digs, and five players finishing with double-digit digs. Leading the effort, Jacqueline Woodyear collected 15 digs, followed by Shakhea Moore-Hagins with 14 digs, Daryl Rodriguez with 12 digs, Jessica Wilson with 11, and Krysta Gardner with 10. The setters had a strong day on the court, led by Daryl Rodriguez with 28 assists, and followed by Jule Gibson with 20 assists.

The LadyCats return to the court, Saturday, at 12 p.m., facing off with Maryland Eastern Shore (Northern first seed). The undefeated Hawks of UMES topped Norfolk State 3-0 this afternoon at the Coppin Center. Stay tuned to www.B-CUathletics.com for updates and recaps of tomorrow's match with UMES.