Bowie State University women’s volleyball advanced to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament semifinals by defeating Virginia State 3-1 in the quarterfinals Nov. 9 at Rocky Mount Event Center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
After losing the first set 25-18, the Bulldogs rallied to win the next three sets 25-19, 25-16 and 25-22.
The victory improved Bowie State to 14-15, while Virginia State fell to 20-11. Bowie State recorded 45 kills and nine total blocks, posting a .177 hitting percentage compared with Virginia State’s .126.
Bowie State Rallies After Opening-Set Deficit
Virginia State built a 15-9 lead in the opening set before Bowie State cut the deficit to four points. The Trojans extended their advantage to 24-15, and although the Bulldogs scored three late points, Virginia State closed the set 25-18.
Bowie State responded in the second set by building an 8-5 lead. Virginia State tied the score at 8-8, but the Bulldogs regained control and closed the set on a Payton Swinton kill for a 25-19 victory.
In the third set, Virginia State led 6-3 before Bowie State answered with four consecutive points to take a 7-6 lead. The Bulldogs finished strong, winning the last six points and the set 25-16.
The fourth set featured a six-point run that turned a 4-3 deficit into a 9-4 lead for Bowie State. Virginia State rallied multiple times, including scoring five consecutive points to narrow the gap, but Melisa Anacius ended the match with a kill from Gabrielle Hale, securing a 25-22 win for the Bulldogs.
Swinton Leads Bowie State’s Attack
Payton Swinton led Bowie State with 14 kills and 15.5 points, adding 16 digs. Mil’lanni Marte recorded a team-high 20 digs and added three service aces.
Gabrielle Hale contributed 29 assists, 14 digs, four kills and four blocks. Jy’Asha Cousins posted seven total blocks, including two solo blocks, and added five kills.
Bowie State Set for CIAA Semifinal Matchup
Bowie State was scheduled to face No. 3 seed Livingstone College at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in the CIAA Tournament semifinals. Livingstone advanced after defeating No. 6 seed Shaw 3-1 earlier the same day.
MSB Analysis
Bowie State responded to its opening-set loss by winning three consecutive sets to reach the CIAA semifinals. The Bulldogs posted a higher hitting percentage than Virginia State, with Swinton, Marte, Hale and Cousins leading the statistical effort listed in the match recap.
Source: Original report
