TUSKEGEE, Ala. — The Tuskegee University volleyball team is set to compete in its first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action of the season, in a Crossover hosted by Albany State inside the HPER Complex.
 
The two-day event kicks off on Friday, September 20 and runs through Saturday, September 21. Tuskegee enters the weekend with a 1-2 overall record and will face off against multiple conference opponents.
 
The Golden Tigers will have a busy schedule starting with two matches on Friday. They will take on Edward Waters University at 9:00 AM, followed by a showdown against Clark Atlanta at 4:30 PM. The competition continues Saturday with matchups against Benedict College at 10:30 AM and Savannah State University at 3:30 PM.

ABOUT TUSKEGEE (1-2)
The Golden Tigers enter the weekend with an 1-2 record after winning their season opener against Stillman, before dropping two matches at the LaGrange Tri-Match earlier this month.
 
Key players include Ma'kayla Jones, who leads the team with 32 kills and an impressive .509 hitting percentage, averaging 3.2 kills and 4.1 points per set. The senior also leads the team with 11 blocks. Fellow senior Moriah Seay also has been a key factor, currently standing second on the roster with 29 kills (2.64/set), along with leading the team with 39 total digs (3.55/set).
 
Meanwhile, Amara Dotson has been vital as a setter, contributing 43 assists at an average of 3.91 per set, while Mikea Allen leads the team with 57 assists, averaging 5.18 assists per set. Tuskegee has a team attack percentage of .183 with 126 total kills but has allowed opponents 133 kills at a .192 hitting percentage.

ABOUT BENEDICT (3-1)
The Benedict Tigers volleyball team has started the 2024 season with a 3-1 record, after splitting games against Livingstone, before sweeping Morris, followed by a hard-fought five-set win over Clinton.
 
Leading the charge is Deisire' Young, who has accumulated 34 kills, averaging 3.09 kills per set while hitting at an exceptional .500 clip. T'yannah Lake has been a key contributor with 25 kills and 31 digs, providing solid all-around play. Willow Alls has been instrumental as the team's primary setter, recording 66 assists, averaging 6.00 assists per set.
 
Additionally, Angelique Carter has been a versatile force with 15 kills and six total blocks. As a team, Benedict is averaging 12.18 kills per set with a strong attack percentage of .285, while also excelling in defense with 12.00 digs per set and serving with 3.55 aces per set.
 
ABOUT CLARK ATLANTA (2-4)
Clark Atlanta has had a mixed start to the season, currently holding a 2-4 overall record. The team secured victories against LaGrange and Florida Memorial but faced losses to North Greenville, Tusculum, Florida Tech, and Lander.
 
Key players for the Panthers include Shynique McGee, who leads the team with 56 kills, averaging 2.80 kills per set, and Halle Mitchell, who has contributed 37 kills and 31 digs. Sawyer Arbuckle has also been impactful with 46 kills and 40 digs. Defensively, Nakayla James leads the team with 45 digs, averaging 2.25 digs per set?.
 
The team's hitting percentage sits at .080, with a total of 183 kills and 135 errors over 601 total attacks. Clark Atlanta's defense has averaged 11.30 digs per set, and their blocking has been solid with 32 total blocks in 20 sets, averaging 1.60 blocks per set?.
 
ABOUT EDWARD WATERS (0-7)
Edward Waters is off to a slow start to the 2024 season with a record of 0-7. Naomy Vergez leads the team in kills with 52 (2.74 kills per set), followed by Taylor Kennedy with 31 kills (1.41 kills per set).
 
In terms of setting, Dislandi Antonio has been a crucial figure, averaging 5.07 assists per set with a total of 76 assists across the matches. Defensively, the Tigers have managed 13 solo blocks and 26 block assists, with notable blocking efforts from Ajiyah Jackson and Jewel Helmuth, contributing to 12 and 9 total blocks, respectively.

The team has struggled in maintaining consistency, particularly in serving, as they have committed 48 service errors compared to their 29 service aces. Defensively, they have managed 230 digs (averaging 10.45 digs per set), with Vergez and Malena Catala leading the team in this category. The Tigers are working to improve their performance, aiming to turn their season around as they enter conference play.
 
ABOUT SAVANNAH STATE (1-2)
The Savannah State Tigers have kicked off their season with a 1-2 record, most recently earning a five-set victory over Middle Georgia State.
 
Savannah Everett stands out as their offensive leader, recording 22 kills at a .278 hitting percentage, averaging 4.40 kills per set. Jasmine Nettles contributed 14 kills, hitting .351, while Tiana Curry added 13 kills and 19 digs in the match. Savannah State had a solid team performance, hitting .213 with 70 kills and out-digging their opponent 112 to 103?.

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