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Dillard Sweeps Talladega to Claim 2024 HBCUAC Volleyball Championship

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Bossier City, La. [November 13, 2024] – The Dillard University Bleu Devils claimed the 2024 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Volleyball Championship with a commanding 3-0 sweep over Talladega College (25-18, 25-23, 25-19) at Billy Montgomery Gymnasium.

Led by standout performances from Cadence Thomas and Gabrielle Washington on defense, and Vanae Sapp and Tyramae Fautanu recording double-doubles, Dillard secured their title in dominant fashion.

Defensive Dominance and Offensive Firepower

The Bleu Devils’ front row defense proved impenetrable, with Thomas contributing two solo blocks and four assists, while Washington added four block assists. Dillard turned away 11 Talladega attacks and held the Tornadoes to a season-low .032 hitting percentage.

Sapp shined offensively with 11 kills and 12 digs, earning her the 2024 HBCUAC Championship Most Valuable Player award. Fautanu chipped in 15 assists and 10 digs. Thomas and Washington added eight and seven kills, respectively.

Trenity Pender anchored the defense with 13 digs and four assists, earning All-Tournament honors. Sara Da Silva also earned All-Tournament recognition, contributing seven kills in the championship match.

Match Recap

  • First Set: After an initial four-point run fueled by Talladega errors, Dillard dominated with a seven-point surge sparked by a kill from Thomas. The Bleu Devils extended their lead to 18-8, capped by a kill from Sapp to clinch the set.
  • Second Set: Dillard started strong with a 7-3 lead, but Talladega rallied with a five-point run. Kills from Da Silva and Thomas helped Dillard regain the edge, and a late push, including a clutch kill from Washington, secured a two-set lead.
  • Third Set: Talladega fought back, with Re’na Ashley leading a charge to a five-point lead. However, Dillard’s resilience prevailed, with critical points from Washington and Da Silva turning the tide. Sapp sealed the title with her 11th kill of the match.

Talladega’s Standouts

Ashley led the Tornadoes with eight kills, followed by Zariah Messick with seven kills and two block assists. Giovana Costarelli dished out 17 assists and three aces, earning All-Tournament honors. Briyith Echeverri tallied 22 digs, while Taquoia Rounds, with 12 digs, also made the All-Tournament Team.

Path Forward

Both Dillard (20-8) and Talladega (25-9) advance to the NAIA Volleyball Championship Opening Round, set for November 23. Their opponents and match locations will be revealed during the NAIA Selection Show, airing at noon on Monday on the Urban Edge Network.


2024 HBCUAC All-Tournament Team

  • MVP: Vanae Sapp, Dillard
  • Sara Da Silva, Dillard
  • Trenity Pender, Dillard
  • Giovana Costarelli, Talladega
  • Taquoia Rounds, Talladega
  • Sydney Willis, Fisk
  • Ja’Niya Sanders, Philander Smith

We are dedicated to celebrating the rich history, vibrant culture, and enduring legacy of Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Our mission is to provide a platform that honors the invaluable contributions of HBCUs to higher education, social justice, and community empowerment. Through insightful articles, engaging narratives, and meaningful dialogue, we strive to amplify the voices, experiences, and achievements within the HBCU community. By fostering awareness, appreciation, and support for HBCUs, we aspire to inspire current and future generations to pursue excellence, equity, and inclusivity in education and beyond.

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🏈 Lincoln University (PA) Lions Fall 4-0 to Chestnut Hill, But Display Heart and Resilience

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Final Score: Chestnut Hill 4, Lincoln (PA) 0

Scoring Summary:

  • 20:21 – Chelsea Ritter (CHC) PENALTY KICK GOAL

  • 33:29 – Abigail Collins (CHC), Assist: Shaina Klos

  • 68:11 – Abigail Collins (CHC)

  • 86:57 – Rebecca Dalton (CHC), Assist: Bryce Westervelt

Key Lincoln Stats:

  • Shots on Goal: 1

  • Saves: 10 (Lourraine De Luna)

  • Corner Kicks: 0

  • Fouls: 4

Game Recap:
Lincoln University (PA) faced a tough opponent in Chestnut Hill, but the Lions never gave up. Keeper Lourraine De Luna was phenomenal, racking up 10 saves to keep her team in the fight. Despite falling 4-0, Lincoln showed HBCU pride, resilience, and determination, pushing hard on every possession and displaying flashes of offensive potential.

Chestnut Hill dominated possession, but Lincoln’s defense and effort underlined the team’s commitment to growth and representing the HBCU community. The Lions continue to fight for their first win of the season, gaining valuable experience along the way.

HBCU Original was on the scene to capture every save, tackle, and moment of pride. 🎥🔥

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Delaware State Falls Short vs. Monmouth, 49–38

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The Hornets showed heart from start to finish, going toe-to-toe with Monmouth in a high-scoring contest that ended 49–38. Despite the loss, Delaware State displayed major offensive firepower and resilience on the road.

🏈 Game Highlights:

  • Marquis Gillis was unstoppable on the ground, rushing for 132 yards and a touchdown, setting the tone early for the Hornets’ offense.

  • Quarterback James Jones powered in a short rushing score, keeping the Hornets within striking distance.

  • The Hornet defense battled to contain a hot Monmouth offense led by Derek Robertson, who threw for four touchdowns — but Delaware State never backed down.

🔥 What’s Next:
Delaware State looks to carry this momentum into MEAC play, building on its offensive rhythm and toughness heading into the next matchup.

#MEACFootball #DelState #HBCUFootball #HornetPride #HBCUOriginal

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“Morgan State Comes Back to Defeat North Carolina Central University in Five-Set Thriller”

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BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 1, 2025) – The Morgan State volleyball team welcomed North Carolina Central (NCCU) to Hill Field House on Friday, Oct. 3 for a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup at 6 p.m. The game was Morgan State’s ‘Pink Out’ match, with fans encouraged to wear pink in support.

Morgan State came into the match at 4-8 overall, 1-1 MEAC, looking to rebound from a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at Howard. The Bears had fallen behind 2-0 before dropping the final three sets, including a narrow 15-12 defeat in the fifth.

Key performances vs. Howard:

  • Daniela Ferreira: career-high 23 kills

  • Isabelle Brown: 43 assists

  • Hanna Nemeth: 13 digs

  • Jada Williams: seven blocks

  • Aubrey Wilson: five blocks

NCCU (4-10, 1-1 MEAC) entered the contest on a two-match losing streak, including a 3-0 road loss at Charleston Southern. Standouts included Summer Campbell (four kills), Tayah Little and Allyson Rouse (three kills each), Loren Johnson (12 digs), and Neira Joldic (eight assists).

Series History:

  • NCCU leads the all-time series 7-4, winning seven of the last eight meetings.

  • Last season, the teams split the series: Morgan State swept at home (10/4/24) and NCCU won in five sets on the road (11/1/24).

 


Match Result: October 3, 2025

Morgan State pulled off a thrilling five-set victory over NCCU, winning 3-2.

Set Scores: 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-11

Impact on the Teams:

  • Morgan State: Record improves to 2-1 MEAC, 5-8 overall.

  • NCCU: Falls to 1-2 MEAC, 4-11 overall.

The Bears showed resilience coming back from a 0-2 deficit to claim the win! 💪


Player Highlights & Milestones

  • Jada Williams: Moved into 7th on Morgan State’s all-time blocks list with 247 career blocks.

  • Aubrey Wilson: Reached 100 career blocks, currently 17th in program history.

  • Isabelle Brown: Freshman setter named MEAC Setter of the Week, directing Morgan’s offense with 107 assists over three matches.


Looking Ahead

Morgan State will host South Carolina State in a MEAC match on Sunday, Oct. 5. First serve is at 1 p.m. at Hill Field House.

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“Rivalry on Fire: Morehouse Battles Howard at MetLife!”

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Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 01:00 PM

Get ready for an electrifying showdown as the HBCU NY Football Classic returns to MetLife Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2025!

This premier HBCU football event in the Northeast promises heart-pounding action as Morehouse College takes on Howard University. Two of the nation’s most storied programs will clash on the gridiron, each vying for victory and bragging rights in front of thousands of passionate fans.

Fans can expect a full day of excitement, from pre-game festivities and marching band performances to halftime entertainment that celebrates HBCU culture and tradition. The rivalry is fierce, the stakes are high, and the energy in the stadium is bound to be unforgettable.

Don’t miss your chance to witness history in the making at the HBCU NY Football Classic – where tradition, pride, and football excellence collide!

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Dillard’s Davison, Wilberforce’s Howard, and Wiley’s Russell Claim Week 1 HBCUAC Cross Country Honors

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NEW ORLEANS – September 2, 2025 – The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) announced its Week 1 cross country weekly awards, recognizing standout performances from August 25-31.

Women’s Honors:
Dillard University freshman Karlise Davison made a sensational debut, earning both Runner of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors. Davison broke the Dillard four-kilometer school record, cementing herself as a rising star in the HBCUAC women’s cross country scene. Her record-setting performance has set high expectations for the season ahead.

Men’s Honors:
On the men’s side, Wilberforce University freshman Skyaqui Howard was named Runner and Freshman of the Week after leading the Bulldogs at the Wilberforce Invitational. In his first collegiate meet, Howard clocked 17:56.7, finishing seventh among 23 competitors from NCAA Division II and NCCAA programs.

Wiley University’s John Russell, a transfer from Ranger College, claimed Newcomer of the Week following his performance at Texas Christian University’s John MacKenzie Invitational. Competing against NCAA Division I athletes from TCU, Texas A&M, and Tarleton State, Russell completed the five-kilometer course in 19:38, showcasing his readiness to contribute at the HBCUAC level.

Additional men’s weekly nominees included Quante Ferguson (Talladega), Javoun Goldsby (Wiley), Earl Hurd Jr. (Wiley), Phillip Isaac (Dillard), and K’Mon Washington (Dillard), highlighting the depth of talent across the conference.

The HBCUAC continues to spotlight emerging athletes and exceptional performances in cross country, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

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