BOWIE, MD -- The Shaw volleyball team got the job done in four sets (25-20, 26-28, 25-18, 25-18, 25-18) to beat the Elizabeth City State Vikings for the CIAA Championship on Sunday at A.C. Jordan Arena.
The CIAA title is the fifth in school history, and the first since 2018 for the Lady Bears (30-5 overall). It is also the first championship under the direction of four-year Shaw Head Coach Jonathan Paulk, who was named CIAA Coach of the Year earlier in the week. The 30 wins are a modern school season record, and the Lady Bears are the first team in 12 years to beat every CIAA opponent in the regular season and the postseason.
With the win, the Lady Bears earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II regionals. The selections for the 2023 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship will be announced at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday, Nov. 20 via web stream on ncaa.com.
This was the eighth straight CIAA finals appearance for the Lady Bears, who gained revenge on Elizabeth City State (20-13 overall) after losing to the Vikings in 2022 CIAA Championship Match.
The Lady Bears were paced by Noelani Beard, who finished with 19 kills on a .349 hitting percentage. Lillian Carlson added 11 kills. Defensively, CIAA Rookie of the Year Jasmine Culp had 15 digs and CIAA Setter of the Year Lauren Janok, Tournament MVP, had 14 digs in addition to a match-high 45 assists.
Game Notes
» Maelie Chupin had a team-high three aces in the win.
» Noelani Beard had a match-high 19 kills for Shaw.
» Shaw got a team-high 15 digs from Jasmine Culp.
» Shaw attackers were helped by a match-high 45 assists from Lauren Janok.
» Lillian Carlson, Noelani Beard and Lauren Janok were named to the all-tournament team with Janok picking up MVP honors.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Lady Bears took the first set 25-20 thanks to a solid performance on the attacking side. Shaw put together a .333 attack percentage with 17 kills in the set victory. The Lady Bears opened up a 16-10 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there. Shaw also supplemented its offense with three aces in the opening set.
SET 2 | Shaw fell in the second set 28-26 to tie the match 1-1. The Lady Bears couldn't hang on in a back-and-forth set, losing in a stanza that featured nine lead changes and 17 ties. Neither team led by more than four points along the way.
SET 3 | Shaw fired back after the second-set loss to take the third set 25-18 for a 2-1 lead in the match. Shaw took the lead for good at 18-17 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the Lady Bears took over in the second half of the stanza. The Shaw offense got a boost from four aces in the stanza.
SET 4 | Shaw kept the momentum going, finishing off the match with a 25-18 set-four victory for the title. The Lady Bears grabbed control of the set at 2-1 and held the lead the rest of the way. Shaw ended the stanza on a high note by opening up its biggest lead - seven points - to finish off the set, totaling 16 kills in the set. Shaw also supplemented its offense with three aces in the set.
Quotes
"I feel relieved. It's kind of like a monkey off our backs. We've come so close three years in a row, and to finally wrap it up is sweet. The first year, we had eight players and no one expected anything and we managed 17 wins. Then every year, we got better and better and closer and closer. This year, having a 30-win season, is awesome." - Shaw Head Coach Jonathan Paulk
"This [championship] ranks No. 1 among achievements in my volleyball career. We put in a lot of work and to see it come through is amazing." Tournament MVP Lauren Janok who was the CIAA Setter of the Year at Shaw and MEAC Setter of the Year at N.C. Central during her collegiate volleyball career.
"Because it is my last year, it feels so amazing. The third time is a charm. This year our team camradarie was a lot better. We were close but we held each other accountable as well. We were there for each other and we celebrated for each other. - Shaw All-CIAA Outside Hitter Noelani Beard.
"This was one of the best years ever because we beat everybody in the division, we came out on top [during the regular season] and we were able to finish it at the end. Team chemistry was the difference. We had the strongest bond of all my years of playing volleyball. We had no drama, it was always laughs. We had a great time. This team had a lot of resilience. We kept pushing. It is a big relief but the job isn't done. This is a big hurrah for now but I think we can go even further." - Shaw All-CIAA Middle Blocker/Hitter Kamille Patrick
