Box Score RALEIGH, NC - Fayetteville State University (15–4, 11–1 CIAA) stormed back from a 2–1 deficit to defeat Shaw University (9–9, 7–5 CIAA) in a five-set thriller Monday night at Spaulding Gymnasium, winning 3–2 (12–25, 25–18, 21–25, 25–17, 18–16). The match featured momentum swings, clutch performances, and standout plays from both squads.
Shaw opened the match strong on their home court, taking the first set 25–12 behind the powerful hitting of MaKayla Brown and the steady setting of Kya Moore. The Bears capitalized on Fayetteville State's early errors and closed the set with a kill from Brown off a feed from Justus Alexander.
Fayetteville State responded in the second set with renewed energy and precision.
Symone Morris led the offensive charge with multiple kills, while
Giovanna Teixeira delivered three service aces and orchestrated the attack.
Courtlynn Edwards and
Ramona Pulu added key points at the net, helping the Broncos take the set 25–18 and even the match.
In the third, Shaw regained control with a 25–21 win. Brown continued her dominant play, adding a service ace and several kills, while Moore and Alexander kept the offense flowing. Fayetteville State stayed close with contributions from Morris, Pulu, and Edwards, but a late service error allowed Shaw to seal the set and take a 2–1 lead.
The Broncos surged back in the fourth, dominating 25–17.
Amori Johnson and
Chantiya Johnson were unstoppable at the net, combining for blocks and kills that stifled Shaw's attack. Teixeira remained consistent as a playmaker, setting up scoring opportunities for Morris, Pulu, and Edwards. The Broncos closed the set with a kill from
Chantiya Johnson and a block from Morris to force a decisive fifth frame.
The final set was a back-and-forth thriller. Shaw jumped ahead early with kills from Leana Gould and Moore, and a pair of service aces from Kalia Morris gave the Bears a 5–2 lead. Fayetteville State clawed back with kills from
Amori Johnson and Morris, and a service ace from Teixeira tied the score at 11. With the match knotted at 16, Morris delivered a clutch kill off a Teixeira assist, and Edwards sealed the win with a block at the net, giving the Broncos an 18–16 fifth-set victory.
Morris led Fayetteville State with 17 kills and 10 digs, while Pulu added 13 kills and nine digs. Teixeira paced the offense with 42 assists and four aces.
Chantiya Johnson and Edwards each recorded five blocks, and
Amihan Johnson added eight kills and three blocks.
For Shaw, Brown finished with 15 kills, Moore added 14 kills and 29 assists, and Gould chipped in 10 kills. Kalia Morris led all players with 23 digs and three aces, while Moore and Gould added 11 and seven digs respectively.
Fayetteville State will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup at home on Thursday, October 30, when they host Claflin University at Capel Arena. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
