WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Fayetteville State responded in impressive fashion Sunday afternoon, defeating Virginia Union 3-1 to conclude CIAA Round-Up action at Whitaker Gymnasium. The Broncos claimed the match by scores of 25-10, 23-25, 25-18, and 25-6 to improve to 10-3 overall and 7-2 in CIAA play. Virginia Union fell to 5-8 overall and 2-5 in the conference.
Kyla Powell led the offensive charge with 14 kills on a .414 hitting percentage while adding three total blocks.
Mya Hejl continued her strong weekend, posting 11 kills while hitting an efficient .667.
Kemyah Harris contributed eight kills, 11 digs, and three block assists.
Fayetteville State received quality production throughout the lineup as
Leticia Neves Nascimento added five kills, while
McKenna Miller recorded six kills. The Broncos utilized a two-setter system with
Melissa Gonzalez dishing out 20 assists and
Giovanna Teixeira adding 13 assists, nine digs, and a service ace.
Defensively,
Jasmine Culp paced the Broncos with 13 digs and six assists. Harris added 11 digs, while Fayetteville State totaled 63 digs and seven team blocks in the victory.
Aolani Cannon contributed four block assists as the Broncos consistently disrupted Virginia Union's attack.
Coming off a five-set battle earlier in the day, the Broncos set the tone early by dominating the opening set. Fayetteville State hit .452 in the frame and limited the Panthers to a negative hitting percentage en route to a convincing 25-10 victory. Virginia Union answered in the second set, rallying late to take a narrow 25-23 win and even the match at one set apiece.
Fayetteville State regained control following the break to secure a 25-18 third-set victory. The Broncos then delivered their most dominant performance of the afternoon in the fourth set, overwhelming the Panthers 25-6 to close out the match.
Virginia Union was led by Madison Hill and Alana Simmons, who each recorded seven kills. Simmons also added a team-high 10 digs for the Panthers.
Fayetteville State concludes the CIAA Round-Up with a 4-2 weekend record and will head to Charlotte, NC on Thursday, October 8, to play Johnson C. Smith. Fans can follow the Broncos throughout the season on fsubroncos.com and by following @FSUBroncos on social media.