Sept. 28, 2009

Final Stats

FAYETTEVILLE -- Chekimbrell Jefferson had a match-high 13 kills to lead the Fayetteville State Volleyball team past Livingstone 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-9) at Capel Arena on Monday.

FSU (9-7, 9-1 CIAA) has won six straight CIAA matches and seven of its last nine overall.

"After every practice coach is really pushing us to work hard towards the CIAA Championship," junior setter Achari Mainor said. "I think that hard work is really starting to show during games."

The Broncos are undefeated in the Western Division and hold a tiebreaker over conference-rival Chowan.

Despite her team's stellar play, FSU head coach Reeshemah Johnson said the season is still young.

"Everybody that we've played so far we have to play again," Johnson said. "We can't afford to relax. We're really pushing ourselves in practice because we are not at the peak of our potential yet."

As it has in its last two matches, FSU won the first two games setting up a potential sweep. However, against both Saint Augustine's and Chowan, the Broncos dropped the third set.

Johnson said Jefferson's play helped make sure there was no lapse against the Blue Bears (9-3, 5-3 CIAA).

"Chekimbrell really stepped up her game and she lead from in front," Johnson said. "That was a huge factor in that third set."

Sophomore Samantha Meeks contributed seven kills, four service aces and four digs while freshmen Ifeyinwa Nwokolo added seven kills and a block.

Lashaundra Ferguson led Livingstone with five kills.

During the Broncos' winning streak, Mainor has averaged 26.8 assists per match and on the season her 7.14 average is third best in the CIAA.

"It's a team sport, but kills get me excited," Mainor said. "When they get a kill, I get a kill. Plus we win, so that's all that really matters."

"Achari is excellent," Johnson said. "Her setting is getting better and better every day. She's putting the ball right where the hitters can hit it."

With more than a month left before the CIAA Championship Tournament in Hampton, Va., Mainor said her team is starting to feel a sense of urgency.

"It's getting closer to the end of the season," the Antioch, Ca. native said. "We can just smell that ring. I got one my freshman year and I really want it again."

FSU finishes its four-game home stand on Wednesday when Shaw visits Capel Arena. Admission is free and the match begins at 6 p.m.