ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Fayetteville State completed another championship run in dominant fashion Wednesday afternoon, sweeping Livingstone 25-18, 25-22, 25-15 to claim the 2026 CIAA Volleyball Championship at the Rocky Mount Event Center. The title marks the Broncos' second consecutive conference crown and the ninth CIAA championship in program history.
In addition to capturing the conference title, Fayetteville State was well represented on the CIAA All-Tournament Team with four selections. Giovanna Teixeira, McKenna Miller, Mya Hejl, and Kemyah Harris earned all-tournament honors, with Harris being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after leading the Broncos throughout their championship run.
The championship is also the third time in program history that Fayetteville State has won back-to-back CIAA titles, previously accomplishing the feat in 2012-13 and again in 2019 and 2021 after the conference did not hold a season in 2020.
Entering the title match with identical 19-3 CIAA records, the Broncos (25-4) left little doubt about who would leave with the trophy, holding the Blue Bears (29-6) to a .047 hitting percentage while recording 36 kills, six service aces, and eight team blocks.
After falling behind 11-8 in the opening set, Fayetteville State responded with a decisive 17-7 run fueled by strong defensive play and timely attacks from Miller, Hejl, and Amori Johnson. The Broncos closed the set by scoring eight of the final nine points to seize momentum.
The second set proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon. Trailing 17-15, Fayetteville State rallied behind consecutive kills from Harris and clutch plays from Miller to take control. Livingstone pulled within 24-22, but a final kill from Miller secured the set and gave the Broncos a commanding two-set advantage.
Fayetteville State carried that momentum into the third set, building a 13-7 lead before methodically pulling away. The Broncos scored 10 of the final 12 points, finishing the championship match on a service ace by libero Jasmine Culp.
Miller led the Broncos offensively with eight kills and a .278 hitting percentage, while Hejl added seven kills and two service aces. Harris contributed nine kills, and Johnson chipped in four kills and six block assists. Giovanna Teixeira directed the offense with 21 assists, three service aces, and 11 digs, while Culp anchored the defense with a match-high 26 digs and two aces.
Livingstone was paced by Oliwia Jaroszewicz, who recorded 13 kills and 12 digs, while Tialofa Alofipo added 19 digs.
The championship appearance was the 18th for Fayetteville St. since 1983 and further cemented the program among the conference's elite. The title also contributes to a historic stretch of success for Bronco Athletics, representing Fayetteville State's 32nd CIAA championship across all sports over the last five years.
The victory also secures another automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship, marking Fayetteville State's return to regional competition. The Broncos will now await the NCAA Selection Show at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15, when the regional field, seedings, and first-round matchups will be announced. Regional competition is scheduled for Nov. 19-21 and Nov. 20-22 at campus sites across the country.
