The Bowie State women’s volleyball team split its final two matches at the Fairmont State Classic on Aug. 29, 2026, losing to Anderson University (SC), 3-0, before defeating Lees-McRae College, 3-1, in Fairmont, West Virginia. The Bulldogs finished the event with a 2-2 record in the 2026 season.
Bowie State Falls to Anderson in Three Sets
Anderson University (SC) defeated Bowie State in three straight sets, 25-6, 25-6 and 25-10. Bowie State briefly tied the opening set at 3-3 after consecutive kills from Spring Terry, but Anderson dominated the remainder of the frame.
Amara Pope and Dyllan Chandler contributed points for Bowie State in the second set. Gabrielle Hale recorded one kill on one attempt and added eight assists, while Trinity Loundmon finished with four assists and one dig. Christina San recorded two kills on three attempts for a .667 hitting percentage.
Payton Swinton Leads Four-Set Win Over Lees-McRae
Bowie State bounced back with a four-set victory over Lees-McRae College, winning 25-18, 25-16, 24-26 and 25-23. Payton Swinton led Bowie State with 19 kills and five service aces, while Gabrielle Hale recorded 41 assists.
Swinton’s service ace at 8-4 in the opening set started a five-point Bowie State run. Damani Myers closed the set with a kill, and the Bulldogs carried momentum into the second set. Bracey Gross added a service ace, and Jy’Asha Cousins sealed the frame with a kill assisted by Hale.
Lees-McRae held off Bowie State in the third set after the Bulldogs rallied to tie the score at 24-24. Lees-McRae then secured the 26-24 set with consecutive blocks, forcing a fourth set.
Bowie State opened the fourth set with a 7-0 run behind Hale’s serving and strong attacking. Lees-McRae later took an 18-15 lead, but the Bulldogs rallied as Swinton and Cousins helped tie the score at 18-18. An attack error by Lees-McRae and a kill by Hale gave Bowie State the 25-23 set win and the match.
Upcoming Match Against Norfolk State
Cousins finished the Lees-McRae match with five total blocks, including two solo blocks. Abena Asomani-Martin added seven kills and eight digs, while Mil’lanni Marte assisted on a kill during the victory.
Bowie State women’s volleyball is scheduled to face Norfolk State University on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Jim Jarrett Athletic Building in Norfolk, Virginia.
Maryland Sports Blog
Bowie State women’s volleyball finished the Fairmont State Classic with a split and a 2-2 record in the 2026 season. The Bulldogs received 19 kills and five service aces from Payton Swinton, 41 assists from Gabrielle Hale, five blocks from Jy’Asha Cousins and seven kills with eight digs from Abena Asomani-Martin in the victory over Lees-McRae College.
Source: Original report
