The Virginia Union University volleyball team recorded three victories in six matches at the second CIAA Volleyball Roundup, held October 16-18 at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.
The Lady Panthers opened the weekend with a 3-0 sweep of Claflin University on Friday, October 16, before falling to Livingstone College 3-1 later that evening. Virginia Union dropped a 3-0 decision to Fayetteville State University on Saturday, October 17, but rebounded with a 3-0 sweep of Johnson C. Smith University.
VUU closed the weekend on Sunday, October 18, with a 3-1 victory over Bluefield State University before dropping a hard-fought 3-1 match to Winston-Salem State University.
Against Claflin, Virginia Union earned a 25-18, 25-22, 25-18 sweep.
Alana Simmons led the Lady Panthers with 13 kills and 15 digs, while
Madison Hill added six kills and three service aces.
Zinnia Pickett contributed 16 assists, and
Jordan Carter recorded four service aces. Virginia Union finished with 38 kills and 13 service aces.
Later Friday, the Lady Panthers battled Livingstone before falling 25-17, 27-25, 25-27, 25-10.
Maria Pena led Virginia Union with 10 kills and nine assists. Simmons and Hill added five kills apiece, while each recorded three service aces. Pickett finished with 12 assists, and Carter led the defensive effort with nine digs.
On Saturday morning, Virginia Union fell to Fayetteville State 25-19, 25-13, 25-12. Pena paced the Lady Panthers with seven kills, while Simmons and
Tahliya Brown each added five kills. Pickett recorded eight assists, and Simmons and Carter each served two aces.
Virginia Union responded Saturday afternoon with a dominant 25-12, 25-14, 25-12 sweep of Johnson C. Smith. Simmons led the attack with nine kills, while Hill and Pena contributed six kills apiece. Pickett dished out 14 assists,
Deanna Nesbitt recorded 12 digs, and
Aylia Junious led the blocking effort with three blocks. The Lady Panthers also collected seven service aces and seven team blocks.
On Sunday morning, Virginia Union defeated Bluefield State 25-20, 25-13, 17-25, 25-16. Hill delivered a team-high 14 kills, while Simmons added 13 kills and seven service aces. Pena contributed six kills and 24 assists, and Pickett added 15 assists. Simmons also led the defensive effort with 20 digs, while
Kennedy Brown recorded 18 digs and Nesbitt finished with 17. Virginia Union totaled 49 kills, nine service aces and 91 digs.
In the weekend finale, the Lady Panthers battled Winston-Salem State in a four-set match before falling 20-25, 25-15, 31-29, 25-21. Hill led Virginia Union with 16 kills, while Simmons added 13 kills and Pena contributed eight. Pickett recorded 24 assists, and Brown led the defense with 23 digs. The Lady Panthers finished with 54 kills and 10 service aces.
"Our team came together this weekend and demonstrated tremendous growth in team chemistry, hard work, and dedication," said VUU Head Volleyball Coach Anetra Sims. "The players embraced the challenge, competed with grit, and continued to build on the progress we made at our previous Roundup. Most importantly, we played together, enjoyed the experience, and left the tournament stronger than we arrived. We are proud of the growth we showed this weekend and will continue to build on this momentum as we move forward."
Virginia Union will return to action when the Lady Panthers host Virginia State University at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va.
