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. The Bulldogs lost the opening set 25-18 before winning 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 and posted a .177 hitting percentage compared with Virginia State’s .126.
Bowie State Overcomes Opening-Set Loss
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 built an 8-5 lead in the second set, but Virginia State answered with three consecutive points to tie the score at 8-8. The Bulldogs regained control and closed the set on a Payton Swinton kill for a 25-19 victory.
Virginia State moved ahead 6-3 in the third set before Bowie State responded with four consecutive points. The Bulldogs took a 7-6 lead and finished the set with the final six points to win 25-16.
Bowie State used a six-point run in the fourth set to turn a 4-3 deficit into a 9-4 lead. Virginia State rallied from 22-13 to 22-16 and later scored five consecutive points after the Bulldogs reached set point, but Melisa Anacius ended the match with a kill from Gabrielle Hale for the 25-22 victory.
Swinton Leads Bowie State
Payton Swinton led Bowie State with 14 kills and 15.5 points while adding 16 digs. Mil’lanni Marte recorded a team-high 20 digs and added three service aces.
Gabrielle Hale finished with 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 Scheduled for CIAA Semifinal
Bowie State was scheduled to face No. 3 seed Livingstone College at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in the CIAA Tournament semifinals. Livingstone College advanced after defeating No. 6 seed Shaw 3-1.
MSB Analysis
Bowie State responded to its opening-set loss by winning three consecutive sets to reach the CIAA semifinals. The Bulldogs also 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
