Day One Complete at 2023 GCAC Volleyball Championship. Top Seeds Survive and Advance
SHREVEPORT - BOSSIER CITY, LA – Hosted on the campus of Bossier Parish Community College in the Billy W. Montgomery Gymnasium, day one was filled with hard-hitting and exciting hustle plays. The day got off to an exciting start with the announcement of the 2023 individual and team awards.
First Round Scores
#8 Tougaloo College 3, #9 Southern University at New Orleans 0 (25-7, 25-15, 25-13)
#2 Dillard University 3, #7 Oakwood University 0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-8)
#1 Talladega 3, #8 Tougaloo 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-17)
Tougaloo 3, SUNO 0 | Box Score
In demanding fashion the eighth-seeded Tougaloo Bulldogs took early control to knock out No. 9 Lady Knights of Southern University at New Orleans in straight sets (25-7, 25-15, 25-13).
Malaysia Hudson led SUNO with an aggressive thirty-five swings and twelve digs. Tougaloo’s Zoie Chambers totaled an impressive eight kills on thirteen attempts hitting .600.
Dillard 3, Oakwood 0 | Box Score
The No. 2 Bleu Devils of Dillard University rigorously set the standard and never looked back in the sweeping defeat of the seventh-seeded Oakwood Ambassadors (25-13, 25-11, 25-8)
Anna Jones represented Oakwood with nine digs and two kills. Meanwhile, the talent of two All GCAC Second-Team members, Vanae Sapp and Sara Da Silva spurred on the win for the Bleu Devils. The dynamic duo racked up eleven kills, ten kills, two block attempts, and capped off by two solo blocks, respectively.
Talladega 3 , Tougaloo 0 | Box Score
No. 8 Tougaloo Bulldogs were put down in straight sets as the top-seeded Talladega Tornadoes took the match 25-20, 25-16, 25-17. The Bulldogs gave the Tornadoes all they had, even taking the lead in the third set. Despite the tug-of-war, Talladega’s grittiness overwhelmed Tougaloo in the end.
Nedu Evans made her mark for the Tornadoes tallying four digs behind 14 kills, while GCAC Player of the Year Zyaire Prettie-Garrit came up just shy of a double-double with 13 kills and nine digs. Taikeidra Joseph led the Bulldogs with eight kills, one assisted block, and one solo block.
Monday, November 6
12 p.m. - No. 4 Philander Smith vs. No. 5 Rust
2 p.m. - No. 3 Fisk vs. No. 6 Wiley
4 p.m. - Semifinal Match 1 - No. 1 Talladega vs. No. 4 Philander Smith/No. 5 Rust Winner
6 p.m. - Semifinal Match 2 - No. 2 Dillard vs. No. 3 Fisk/No. 6 Wiley Winner
Tuesday, November 7
12 p.m. - Championship
All-GCAC Honorable Mention:
Brayleigh Mitchell, Wiley University
Cameryn Buckner, Oakwood University
Annie Navarez, Rust College
Chasry Lum-King, Dillard University
All-GCAC Second Team:
Vanae Sapp, Dillard University
Nedu Evans, Talladega College
Taylor Hurst, Dillard University
Kiana Polk, Talladega College
Sara Da Silva, Dillard University
Essence Wren, Philander Smith University
Kiah Rucker, Philander Smith University
All-GCAC First Team:
Jadyn Brackins, Fisk University
Nebthet Re, Fisk University
Cadence Thomas,Dillard University
Briyith Echeverri, Talladega College
Iyanla Thigpen, Fisk University
Giovana Costarelli, Talladega College
Zyaire Prettie Garrit, Talladega College
Assistant Coach of the Year
Laikin Ramirez, Fisk University
Coach of the Year
Lashaunda Spurgeon, Talladega College
Freshman of the Year
Nebthet Re, Fisk University
Newcomer of the Year
Iyanla Thigpen, Fisk University
Defender of the Year
From Fisk University, Jadyn Brackins
The Setter of the Year
Nebthet Re, Fisk University
Attacker of the Year
Zyaire Prettie-Garrit, Talladega College
Player of the Year
Zyaire Prettie-Garrit, Talladega College
2023 GCAC Volleyball Regular Season Runner-Up
Dillard University
2023 GCAC Volleyball Regular Season Champion
Talladega College
Admissions Fair Schedule:
Monday, November 6 - Admissions Fair: 10 a.m. - Noon
Register for the HBCU Admission Fair: https://bit.ly/