Charlotte, NC -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced that Fayetteville State University was voted by league coaches to repeat as the conference champions, in addition to winning the Southern Division title. The 2021 preseason team features the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jasmine Jacinto and Freshman of the Year Casandra Watson of Fayetteville State. The 2019 CIAA Championship Game MVP Da'Nesha Miller and All-CIAA Rookie and All-CIAA Second Team honoree Xiamana Spikes were also named to the preseason team.
 
Under Head Coach Reeshemah Johnson, the Broncos finished the 2019 season with a 16-1 record in the conference and 19-6 overall. FSU captured its sixth overall championship and third under Coach Johnson. Since taking over the program in 2009, Fayetteville State has participated in six conference championship games and finished with a .500 percentage.
 
FSU leads the preseason team with four selections followed by Winston-Salem State, Claflin, and Livingstone, with two apiece.
 
Senior team co-captain Jasmine Jacinto was named to the Libero position as a Defensive Specialist from San Antonio, Texas. She finished the 2019 season with 304 digs, 55 assists, 23 kills, and 22 service aces.
 
Another co-captain and fellow senior Da'Nesha Miller (Hilton Head Island, SC) was selected as a Utility player. Her stats spread across the board with 227 assists, 145 kills, 143 digs, 48 total blocks, and 14 service aces. In addition to leading the team, Miller is the 2021-22 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Vice President for the Broncos.
 
Casandra Watson had a standout freshman season in 2019. The Outside Hitter from Grifton, NC led the team with 224 Kills from 588 attacks. She also had 155 digs, 21 total blocks, 24 aces, and 15 assists.
 
Middle Blocker Xiamana Spikes (Raeford, NC) led the team with 11 solo blocks as a freshman in 2019. With a total of 51 blocks, Spikes had 83 kills, 17 digs, and three aces.
 
Virginia State University was predicted to win the Northern Division and second overall. The Trojans won their second straight divisional title and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
 
2021 Preseason All-CIAA Volleyball Team 
 
Libero 
Jasmine Jacinto, Fayetteville State 
 
Middle Hitter/Blocker 
Sadaiya Edouard, Claflin 
Xiamana Spikes, Fayetteville State 
Niyonna Mcintyre, Winston-Salem State 
 
Outside Hitter 
Victoria Onozie, Livingstone 
Casandra Watson, Fayetteville State 
Ambria McBride, Virginia State 
 
Right Side Hitter 
Erin Preston, Claflin 
Alexia Crutchfield, Livingstone 
 
Setter 
Rylee Wilson, Winston-Salem State 
Dekiya Wilson-Thomas, Livingstone
 
Utility 
Da'Nesha Miller, Fayetteville State


2021 CIAA Volleyball Predicted Order of Finish

1. Fayetteville State
2. Virginia State
3. Winston-Salem State
4. Shaw
5. Johnson C. Smith
6. Elizabeth City State
7. Virginia Union
8. Claflin
9. Bowie State
10. Livingstone
11. Lincoln (PA)
12. Saint Augustine's

Northern Division

1. Virginia State
2. Shaw
3. Elizabeth City State
4. Virginia Union
5. Bowie State
6. Lincoln (PA)

Southern Division

1. Fayetteville State
2. Winston-Salem State
3. Johnson C. Smith
4. Claflin
5. Livingstone
6. Saint Augustine's