Saint Augustine's University will host Bluefield State College in a non-conference women's volleyball match at Emery Gymnasium in Raleigh, N.C., on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015. Admission is free to the match, which begins at 6 p.m.
Records
The Lady Falcons are 8-9 overall. The Lady Blues are 16-4 overall.
Story Line
The Lady Falcons will attempt to end the Lady Blues' 12-match win streak.
Down Syndrome Awareness Night
The match is designated as Down Syndrome Awareness Night to raise attention about the genetic disorder. Fans are encouraged to wear blue and yellow at the match.
Season Series
Both teams have met only once since at least 2002. In 2014, the Lady Falcons lost in four sets to the Lady Blues in Charlotte, N.C.
About The Lady Falcons' Head Coach
Nikki Bynum Bumpass is in her fifth season as the Lady Falcons' volleyball coach. She directed the Lady Falcons to the CIAA title in 2011. Under her guidance, the Lady Falcons have captured four consecutive CIAA team highest grade point average awards in volleyball. Bumpass is also the softball coach for the Lady Falcons, who won the 2015 CIAA crown and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
Last Meeting
The Lady Falcons lost to the Lady Blues 3-1 (25-21, 21-25, 17-25, 10-25) at the Johnson C. Smith University Tri-Match at Brayboy Gymnasium in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 11, 2014. Olivia Porter led the Lady Falcons with nine kills and seven digs. Juliseea Thomas added 12 assists and six digs.
Previous Match
Olivia Porter (Jr./Bakersfield, CA) led the Lady Falcons with 16 kills in a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-17) victory over Johnson C. Smith University at Emery Gymnasium on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015. The CIAA match was designated as the Purple Match of Honor Night to promote non-violence. Before the match, the Lady Falcons held a presentation for Golden Bulls' student-athlete Gracyn Doctor, who lost her mother, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, in the Charleston church shooting this summer.
Porter Among League's Top Hitters
A Preseason All-CIAA pick, Olivia Porter is having a stellar season for the Lady Falcons. She ranks second in total kills (196) and third in kills per set (3.27) in the CIAA.
Isom Leads CIAA In Digs
Freshman Zoey Isom (Phoenix, AZ) is making an immediate impact on the Lady Falcons squad. She is first in the CIAA in digs (313) and digs per set (5.22).
Lady Falcons Lead CIAA In Team Digs
The Lady Falcons use their quickness and athleticism to their advantage on defense. They lead the CIAA in total digs (957) and rank second in digs per set (15.95).
More CIAA Statistical Rankings
Juliseea Thomas (Sr./St. Croix, US Virgin Islands) ranks sixth in assists (318) and seventh in assists per set (5.30). Mikayla Pettyjohn (So./Jamestown, NC) is fifth in total blocks (40), and Olivia Porter is 10th in total digs (175) and hitting percentage (.213).
About Bluefield State
The Lady Blues are on a 12-match win streak. They defeated the University of Virginia-Wise 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-20) on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Tyann Thomas averages 2.98 kills per set, and Brittney Deveaux averages 2.81 kills per set and 1.19 blocks per set. Alee Quint averages 8.63 assists per set and Jessie Rehwald averages 3.10 digs per set. The head coach is Edric Poitier, who was a former head coach at Saint Augustine's University. He guided the Lady Falcons to four straight CIAA titles from 2000 to 2003 in addition to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Poitier is a 2003 graduate of Saint Augustine's University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.
Next Match
The Lady Falcons will visit Winston-Salem State University in a CIAA Southern Division match at Whitaker Gymnasium in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015. The match begins at 7 p.m.
