DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Alabama A&M and Alabama State travel to Daytona Beach, Florida this weekend as Bethune-Cookman Volleyball begins Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play.
 
Bethune-Cookman welcomes the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M in what serves as the league-opener for both programs on Friday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m., followed by a Sunday matinee matchup with Alabama State on Sept. 24, at noon.
 
MATCH #12: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Moore Gymnasium (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
WATCH LIVE: CatEye Network
LIVE STATS: Click Here
 
MATCH #13: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. Alabama State Hornets
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 24, at noon
WHERE: Moore Gymnasium (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
WATCH LIVE: CatEye Network
LIVE STATS: Click Here
 
IN THE RANKINGS
▪ Bethune-Cookman is not ranked in this week's AVCA Division I Coaches Poll Top 25
▪ Alabama A&M is not ranked in this week's AVCA Division I Coaches Poll Top 25
▪ Alabama State is not ranked in this week's AVCA Division I Coaches Poll Top 25
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Keep up with everything Bethune-Cookman Volleyball this year by following the Wildcats on all their social media platforms. You can follow @BCUVolleyball on Instagram and @BCUVolleyball on Twitter.
 
BCU VS. ALABAMA A&M SERIES
▪ Alabama A&M leads the all-time series with Bethune-Cookman by the narrowest of margins, 4-3. However, the Wildcats have taken three of the last four in the series, including a 3-0 win from the Bulldogs last season in Daytona Beach. In Moore Gym, BCU leads the series, 3-1 – all of the aforementioned matches coming since joining the SWAC prior to the 2021-22 campaign.
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
▪ Alabama A&M enters the weekend with a 1-12 overall record, taking a 3-2 win from North Carolina Central back on August 25 in Asheville, North Carolina. Bailey Duckett leads the Bulldogs with 102 kills (2.55 per set), and she also sits second on the team with 12 service aces. Mackenzie Jefferson and Grace Tapscott drive the two-setter system for the Bulldogs – Jefferson holding 129 assists, and Tapscott owning 124 assists. Michell Jerez leads the squad with 81 digs, while Jefferson is second with 79 (1.76 per set). Ajanae Cressey has recorded 29 blocks to top the team in that department.
 
BCU VS. ALABAMA STATE SERIES
▪ Bethune-Cookman owns a 9-4 series lead against Alabama State in a series that dates back to October 6, 2000. The Wildcats won the first nine meetings in the series, with the last victory being a 3-0 defeat of the Hornets in 2010. Since joining the SWAC, the Hornets have taken all four meetings – all but one being 3-1 decisions. The last contest between the two sides was a 3-1 setback on Nov. 4, 2022, in Daytona Beach.
 
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
▪ Alabama State will face Florida A&M for its SWAC-opener before traveling to Daytona Beach for the Sunday matinee affair with the Wildcats. The Hornets arrive in Florida sporting a 1-12 overall record, having lost their last four matches on the bounce. Two Hornets have 100 kills or more – Jylen Whitten (106) and A'Nylah Cobb (100). Emily Brooks has 20 service aces, while Jada Rhodes has 15 and Temperance Chatman has 12. The assists are supplied by Madison Beasley (210) and Brooks (185). Chatman, the Hornets' defensive specialist, has recorded 151 digs to lead the defensive exploits.
 
A QUICK LOOK AT THE CATS
Record – 0-11 (.000) // SWAC Record – 0-0 (.000) // Last 5 Matches – 0-5 (.000) // Last 10 Matches – 0-10 (.000) // Last 15 Matches – 3-12 (.200) // BCU will play the 191st match of the Brittany Williams era when the Wildcats face off against Alabama A&M on Friday evening.
 
UP NEXT
After a visit from Alabama State on Sunday, the Wildcats will host a pair of SWAC opponents from the "Magnolia State" in the form of Jackson State (Sept. 29) and Mississippi Valley State (Oct. 1) to Moore Gymnasium.
 
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