DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – We are now in the "Niara Hightower Era" with Bethune-Cookman Volleyball.
Phylecia Armstrong, Faith Landreneaux, Rakaya Neely and Alleah Dallas had their runs at controlling middle blocker position for the Wildcats in recent years. Now it's Hightower's time after a breakout season in 2023.
 
Hightower finished last season leading the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) with 107 total blocks – staying on top of the league practically the entire season en route to being named SWAC Blocker of the Year. 
 
Hightower begins 2024 campaign where she left off…being tabbed SWAC Preseason Blocker of the Year.
 
"Niara is solidifying her name in that record book of prestigious players who have left their mark on the program," said Head Coach Brittany Williams. "It's a testament to how much she's worked."
 
Hightower saw limited action her first two seasons when the day and the middle blocker spot belonged to Dallas.
 
Williams said those years benefited the 6-foot-2 senior from Wichita Falls, Texas.
 
"Niara put her head down and worked," Williams said. "Alleah was blocking at a high level, and Niara saw what that level looked like."
 
Williams said that Hightower expects to maintain her 2023 standards as she progresses into the 2024 campaign.
 
"She considers it a challenge and wants to lead the conference in blocks again," Williams said. "She has a natural nose for the ball."
 
The Wildcats take to Moore Gym on Saturday, Aug. 24, for the annual Maroon and Gold match at 1 p.m. They open the regular season Friday, Aug. 30, at home against Manhattan College at 12:30 p.m., as part of the Bash at the Beach hosted by B-CU.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Volleyball on Twitter (@BCUVolleyball) and Instagram (@BCUVolleyball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.