Virginia Union University's volleyball team opened CIAA conference play in spectacular fashion as VUU's Essence Poteat had a game-high 14 kills as the Lady Panthers downed Lincoln University of Pennsylvania 25-15, 28-26, 25-19 on Thursday, September 26, in Lincoln University, Pa.
 
Poteat, a freshman from Orlando, Fla., majoring in Mass Communication, had 14 kills on 37 total attacks. 
 
This marks the second straight season where the Lady Panthers have opened CIAA conference play with a win.  VUU downed Shaw University 3-0 last season in the CIAA conference opener.
 
It was also the Lady Panthers' 19th straight win over Lincoln University, a win streak which dates back 2010.
 
VUU's Kamryn Young added 11 kills in the win while teammate A'rmaria Wright added 33 assists.
 
"The team played well, and is showing steady improvements from week to week," said VUU Head Volleyball Coach Renesha Johnson.  "Kamryn and Essence holding 22 kills in three sets and Erin Highsmith with seven blocks in the front court so the team could hold Lincoln defensively in each set."
 
Virginia Union now travels to Petersburg, Va., to face Virginia State University at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30.