Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

GREENSVILLE, N.C. – Bethune-Cookman volleyball opened its 2026 season Friday at the Pirate Invitational, falling to Hampton and East Carolina at Williams Arena at Minges. 



Hampton 3, B-CU 0

Bethune-Cookman (0-2) battled Hampton (1-0) throughout the opening set, but the Pirates eventually pulled away for a 25-19 victory.

The Wildcats took an early 2-0 lead before Hampton responded to take a 3-2 advantage. B-CU continued to stay within striking distance, with the teams tied at 5-5, 9-9, 10-10 and 11-11. Hampton then created some separation with a 5-2 stretch to take an 18-13 lead. The Wildcats answered with a pair of points late, but the Pirates closed the set, 25-19.

Hampton carried that momentum into the second set, building a 7-3 lead before extending the advantage to 14-5. Bethune-Cookman responded with a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to 14-8, but the Pirates answered with a 4-1 stretch to regain control. Hampton eventually took the set, 25-14, moving within one set of the sweep.

The third set featured another strong start from the Wildcats, as B-CU held a 10-7 advantage following an ace from Nola Hemphill. Hampton responded with five consecutive points to take a 12-10 lead and maintained the advantage from there. Bethune-Cookman remained within four at 17-13, but the Pirates closed the match with an 8-2 run to take the set, 25-15, and complete the sweep.

Moriah Johnson led the Wildcats with 18 kills on 32 attacks while hitting .469. She also added 10 digs and three service aces. Alaya Rhodes contributed six kills, while Kaleigh Williams recorded four. Hemphill finished with 13 assists and 10 digs.

ECU 3, B-CU 0

Bethune-Cookman returned to the court Friday evening and battled East Carolina in a competitive opening set before the Pirates pulled away for a 25-20, 25-11, 25-12 victory.

The Wildcats and Pirates traded leads throughout the opening frame, with the score tied 12 times and six lead changes. B-CU held a 14-13 advantage following a block from Sienna Lawrence and Talibah Hamlett, but ECU responded to regain the lead. The Wildcats remained within one at 16-16 and later cut the deficit to 20-19, but the Pirates scored three straight points to take control and eventually closed the set, 25-20.

East Carolina took control early in the second set, turning a 5-3 lead into a 10-3 advantage with a 5-0 run. The Pirates continued to build their lead and eventually moved ahead 19-8. B-CU fought to extend the set, but ECU finished off the 25-11 victory to take a 2-0 match lead.

The Pirates again jumped ahead in the third set, opening a 6-2 advantage before B-CU responded. Bethune-Cookman used a short 3-0 push to cut the deficit to 9-5, but ECU maintained control and eventually led 15-8. The Wildcats briefly trimmed the margin to 15-10, but the Pirates answered with a 5-1 run to move ahead 20-11 before closing out the match, 25-12.

Johnson again paced the Wildcats offensively with six kills, while Rodriguez and Lawrence each added three. Nola Hemphill recorded 10 assists and seven digs, and Taylor Ellis led B-CU with eight digs.

 

• Moriah Johnson led Bethune-Cookman offensively with 24 kills across the two matches, including a team-high 18 against Hampton and six against East Carolina.
• Johnson also recorded 16 digs, three service aces and 25.0 points combined.
• Nola Hemphill directed the Wildcats' offense with 23 assists on the day, adding 17 digs.
• Alaya Rhodes finished with nine kills and 10 digs across the doubleheader.
• Sienna Lawrence contributed six kills, including three in each match.
• Taylor Ellis led Bethune-Cookman defensively against East Carolina with eight digs, finishing the day with 10 digs.
• Kaleigh Williams recorded six kills and seven digs across the two matches.
• Bethune-Cookman finished the doubleheader with 52 kills, 62 digs and 14 service aces.
• Johnson's 18 kills against Hampton marked the highest individual kill total by a Wildcat in either match.
• Bethune-Cookman registered its strongest offensive performance against Hampton, hitting .128 as a team compared to -.034 against East Carolina.