NORFOLK, Va. - The LadyCats of Bethune-Cookman Volleyball continued their weekend road trip, Sunday, as they faced off with the Spartans of Norfolk State University. The Spartans jumped out to early leads in each set, forcing the LadyCats to play from behind, creating the same situation as B-CU took one set, down 2-1 in the match. B-CU played hard, pushing NSU hard in the second and fourth sets, however, the LadyCats were unable to overcome the quick NSU start, falling 3-1 in the match, in scores of 25-17, 27-25, 25-22 (W), and 26-24.
The first set was the only set in which the Spartans put B-CU away easily, after jumping out to a 10-4 lead early, and keeping B-CU at a distance before pushing out to a 13-point lead, and finishing off the LadyCats 25-17.
The outcome of the first match sent a message to the LadyCats, as they responded in set two, slimming an early NSU lead, then tying the set at 24-24 and taking a brief lead. The Spartans held off the LadyCats and went on to win 27-25 in the set.
In set three, B-CU carried the momentum of the previous set into play, creating an early lead of their own, then holding off an NSU rally late in the match to claim the win. After 10 ties and 2 lead changes, B-CU came out on top 25-22.
In the final set, the LadyCats refused to make it too easy for the Spartans to put them away. However, they did fall behind early and had to make a scoring run and rally late in the set, creating a tie at 23-23. NSU overcame the back-and-forth, putting in the needed scores to win 26-24.
Kaiyana Johnson led the attack for Bethune-Cookman, notching 12 kills (also 4 digs and 2 assists). B-CU varied the attack, with Chelle Ticeson also getting 9 kills, followed by Jessica Wilson collected 8 kills, and Jessica Wilson with 11 digs.
Norfolk State hit B-CU with the same type of varied attack that has proven successful for the LadyCats in recent weeks, with three Spartans collecting double-digit kills, led by Angie Clewis with 14 kills, followed by Elayne Greer with 13 kills, and Tracy Copley with 12 kills.
The LadyCats (9-12, 3-2 MEAC) are, literally, in the home stretch of the 2009 season, as the final four home games are at Moore Gymnasium, where the LadyCats are 3-3 this season. The home stand begins Friday, Nov. 6, as B-CU rematches with South Carolina State at 7:00 pm. In their most recent meeting, Oct. 11, B-CU won the match 3-2 in Orangeburg, S.C.
###
