From the CIAA...
Bowie, MD. - The overall top-seeded Shaw University Lady Bears won the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference Tournament Championship for the second consecutive season after defeating the Fayetteville State University Broncos in a straight-set sweep Sunday afternoon inside A.C. Jordan Arena on the campus of Bowie State University.
With the victory, Shaw earns an automatic bid into the 2024 NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament.
FIRST SET
The Bears used the momentum from the semifinals to grab a 4-1 lead early in the first set that would later grow to 7-4. FSU quickly showed that they were not deterred as they'd go on a four-point run to snatch the lead. Shaw kept within reach all set, and after finding themselves down 21-18, they hunkered down and took each of the next three points to knot the game at 21. Down 24-22 and facing set point, SU used a kill, an ace, and an error to re-claim the lead and force a timeout by FSU. Out of the timeout, they'd clinch the first set victory with a strong kill from the outside.
SECOND SET
The Broncos, however, would not let the first set bring down their spirits. Their offense got going early in the second set as FSU held an 8-4 lead. A pair of aces by FSU would extend the lead to 12-6 and force Shaw to call its first timeout of the set. Shaw chipped away at the lead and found themselves tied at 18, but four consecutive errors saw them trailing by four late in the set. Facing a 24-20 set point, Shaw left it all on the court and miraculously tied the set at 24 before continuing the run which propelled them to a 26-24 second set victory.
THIRD SET
Determined to claim the title, the Bears were hot out the gate in the third set as they took a 10-4 lead. They kept Fayetteville State at bay for the majority of the set as their lead ballooned to 21-12 before they'd claim the third and final set, repeating as conference champions.
2024 CIAA Volleyball Tournament MVP
Amari Earl - Shaw
2024 CIAA Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Manuela Criper Nasser - Shaw
Maelie Chupin - Shaw
Kamille Patrick - Shaw
Chiara Vittoni - Fayetteville State
Jasmine Culp - Fayetteville State
Jourdan Page - Fayetteville State
Jannice Lynch - Bluefield State
Gracie Darville - Virginia State
