FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- After dropping the opening set, Fayetteville State regrouped and surged to win three straight sets, defeating Claflin University 3–1 (19-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-22) in a CIAA volleyball match-up Thursday night. The victory improves the Broncos to 16-4 overall and 12-1 in conference play, while Claflin falls to 3-20 overall and 3-10 in the CIAA.
The Broncos stumbled in the first set despite jumping out to a 10-3 lead. Claflin responded with a 7-0 run, capitalizing on Fayetteville State's attack errors and riding the strong serving of Siri Davis to take a 20-16 lead. The Panthers closed the set 25-19 with back-to-back kills from Aryanna Connell and Taylor Miller.
Fayetteville State responded in the second set with a more composed effort. The Broncos built a narrow lead behind kills from Symone Morris and Ramona Pulu, while setter Giovanna Teixeira kept the offense balanced. Claflin tied the set at 21 after a string of service aces from Davis, but the Broncos held firm. Pulu delivered the final kill off a Teixeira assist to secure the 25-23 win and even the match at one set apiece.
The third set was all Fayetteville State. The Broncos opened with a 5-0 run and never trailed, dominating the set behind the offensive firepower of Morris, Pulu, and Amori Johnson. The Broncos hit .209 as a team and cruised to a 25-14 win, with Teixeira continuing to orchestrate the attack and Destiny Washington adding a key service ace.
In the fourth set, Fayetteville State built a 13-9 lead and held off a late Claflin push. Johnson and Courtlynn Edwards delivered timely kills, while Morris continued her standout night with several key points. Freeman added a service ace, and Morris sealed the match with her 18th kill, assisted by Teixeira, to close out the 25-22 win.
Symone Morris led all players with 18 kills, hitting .214 while adding 14 digs and two blocks for a match-high 20 points. Amori Johnson was dominant at the net, finishing with 14 kills on a blistering .706 hitting percentage. Ramona Pulu added 14 kills and five digs, while Teixeira dished out 34 assists and served one ace. The Broncos totaled 56 kills, 59 digs, and hit .209 as a team.
Claflin was led by Aryanna Connell and Zaniya Harris, who each tallied seven kills. Taylor Miller added six kills on a team-best .429 hitting percentage. Davis contributed 12 assists, four service aces, and six digs. The Panthers finished with 32 kills, 44 digs, and a .133 team hitting percentage.
The Broncos will head Charlotte for a match against Johnson C. Smith on Monday, November 3rd at 6 pm. They will return home on Thursday, November 6th, for senior night and their last home game of the season.
