DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The SWAC season has finally arrived for B-CU volleyball, as the Wildcats open play with a home tilt against Alabama A&M at Moore Gymnasium. First set begins at 6 p.m. EST.


 
Friday, September 25
Opponent: Alabama A&M (7-7, 0-0 SWAC)
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla. | Moore Gymnasium
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Bethune-Cookman began the first set with a dominant 7-1 run, fueled by kills from Alayah Rhodes and Sienna Lawrence. The Wildcats continued to add on to their lead, and ultimately took the first set with ease, 25-9.

B-CU finished with 11 kills, zero attack errors, and hit a dominant .611 while holding the Bulldogs to a -.148 hitting percentage.

The second set was tightly contested early on, as both teams exchanged the lead multiple times. After SCSU tied the set at 12 apiece, the Wildcats went on a 7-0 scoring run to take control. Alayah Rhodes had a kill, while Kylynn White picked up two service aces during the stretch.

The Bulldogs were able to pull back within five, but B-CU was able to hold on for the set victory. Moriah Johnson closed out the set with back-to-back kills to put the Wildcats up 2-0.

SCSU started off strong in the third set, taking an early 5-2 lead. But the Wildcats slowly clawed their way back, eventually tying the game at 14 after a service ace by Kaleigh Williams.

The Bulldogs moved ahead again 18-16 and maintained a narrow advantage as both teams traded points. But Bethune-Cookman came up with the run they needed, scoring six of the set's final seven points to finish out the 3-0 win.

Alayah Rhodes recorded kills on the final two points to cap off another outstanding performance. The Wildcats finished set three with 14 kills compared to just six for the Bulldogs.

The Alabama A&M Bulldogs are 7-7 on the season and are coming off two straight wins against Tennessee State and Central Michigan. They were chosen to finish fourth in the SWAC Preseason Poll behind only Florida A&M, Prairie View A&M, and Jackson State.

The Bulldogs are led by SWAC Preseason Player of the Year Rayishon Jackman, who has continued to be one of the top offensive threats in the league. The junior is the SWAC's current leader in kills with 173 and also ranks ninth in hitting percentage.

Former B-CU Wildcat Amya Jennings will also make her return to Moore Gymnasium. She appeared on the Preseason All-SWAC First Team along with teammates Jackman, Kamrynn Clay, and Kelani Talakai. Jennings has collected 79 kills and is hitting .235 on the year.

As a team, AAMU ranks first in points, assists, kills, and hitting percentage, while sitting second in service aces. Defensively, they are not quite as strong sitting just eighth in blocks and tenth in digs.

Carys Sanabria and Cherrish Robinson are the team's leading blockers with 34.0 and 32.0 blocks, respectively, while Jackman sits first in digs with 113.




The series between the Wildcats and Bulldogs is now knotted at seven after AAMU eliminated B-CU at the SWAC Tournament last year. However, the Wildcats have won the last four straight meetings at Moore Gymnasium. 

 
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