Wilberforce's Sheppard, Johnson win first 2025 HBCUAC Volleyball Weekly Awards
NEW ORLEANS - Wilberforce University defensive specialist Anani Sheppard claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Defender of the Week. Her teammate Jamaya Johnson takes home Setter of the Week. The athletes were honored for their performances between August 11-17.
Sheppard recorded 27 digs in four matches during the Forrester Invitational. She recorded highs of nine digs against Indiana University Columbus (Aug. 15) and Huntington University (Aug. 16). Sheppard notched a .889 receiving percentage.
Johnson tallied 27 assists in four matches. She had a high of nine against Huntington. Johnson also contributed seven digs, three aces and two kills. Wilberforce continues their season with a non-conference match at Shawnee State University on Wednesday and Harris-Stowe State University on Saturday.
About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.