Bowie, MD (November 18, 2023) – There were two great matches on Saturday afternoon with the top four teams playing in the semifinals of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships. The first match between Shaw University and Fayetteville State University saw the Bears sweep the Broncos inside A.C. Jordan Arena.


After the victory, the Bears improved to 29-5 (18-0 CIAA). The tournament loss dropped Fayetteville State to 19-13 and ended their season. Shaw University took the match 25-22, 25-18, 25-12).


Set one was a close match but eventually, the Bears took set one and led the match 1-0 over the Broncos. Set two was just as close but Shaw led 10-8 and never looked back taking the set 25-18 and leading the match 2-0. Fayetteville State was down 13 and could never come over the hump as the Bears finished the set 25-12 and won the match 3-0.


Game two of the afternoon featured Elizabeth City State and St. Augustine's. ECSU won the match 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23). ECSU is now 20-12 (17-2 CIAA).


The Lady Vikings jumped to an early lead on the Falcons. The Lady Falcons would weather the initial momentum the Vikings would generate on early plays from Simone Newell and Ashanti Williams. The CIAA Player of the Year Madison Jones would make plays which she does regularly. The Vikings would close out the first set 22-25.


After the initial kill from Elizabeth Kellum the Lady Falcons would control set two. There would be many rallies throughout the set. The Lady Falcons would win the set 25-19 and tie the match at 1-1.


Andrea Rose would have a block party in the third set. A tight contest with little margin for error helped propel the Vikings to a 25-16 win and led the match 2-1.


The fourth set came down to the wire. The Vikings were close to sealing the deal but SAU did not go out fighting, they came back to come within one but the Vikings scored the last three points to win 25-23 and take the match 3-1.


Fans will see a rematch of last year's Championship game, as the Bears of Shaw University take on the Vikings of Elizabeth City State. The match is set for noon inside the A.C. Jordan Arena.
 
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