Sports
Dillard Sweeps Talladega to Claim 2024 HBCUAC Volleyball Championship
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.
- 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
