TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The Tuskegee volleyball team returns to conference play this weekend as the Golden Tigers travel to Memphis, Tennessee, for the final SIAC Cluster of the regular season, hosted by LeMoyne-Owen.
 
Tuskegee will play Lane and Central State on Friday, Oct. 24, before facing Kentucky State and the host Magicians on Saturday, Oct. 25.
 
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (11-9, 4-8 SIAC)
The team enters the weekend looking to climb in the conference standings after earning a convincing 3-0 sweep over Oakwood in its most recent outing. The Golden Tigers rank among one of the SIAC's most balanced teams, averaging 10.5 kills, 9.7 assists, and 14.6 digs per set while hitting .146 as a team.
 
Junior outside hitters Najwa Williams and Zariah Messick lead the Tuskegee attack. Williams paces the offense with 164 kills (2.49 per set) and a team-high 27 aces, while Messick adds 136 kills (2.43 per set) and 116 digs.
 
Setters Mikea Allen and Sahnee Dillahunt-Nedd direct the offense with a combined 530 assists, while Dillahunt-Nedd is second on the with 24 aces, while libero Jasmine Brantley anchors the defense with 197 digs (3.34 per set).
 
The Golden Tigers' blocking unit, led by Gabriella Jones, Jordyn Jones, and Sian Sprinkle has combined for over 150 total blocks, helping Tuskegee hold opponents to a .120 hitting percentage this season.
 
ABOUT LANE (4-23, 3-8 SIAC)
Lane enters the weekend coming off a five-set win over LeMoyne-Owen. The Dragons are led offensively by Kyra Gaston, who ranks among the conference leaders with 225 kills (2.37 per set) and 68 blocks, Jadyn Powell with 162 kills and 15 blocks, and Wynter Hill, who adds 111 kills and 64 total blocks.
 
Setter Shaniah Jones averages 5.22 assists per set, while Jayla Johnson adds a team-high 31 service aces.
 
ABOUT CENTRAL STATE (9-8, 5-6 SIAC)
Central State remains in the middle of the SIAC West standings, highlighted by balanced scoring and strong defense.
 
The Marauders are paced by Maya Hendricks with 189 kills, followed by Zahra Coates with 148, and Braelynn Reese at 141. Setters Brooke Morris and Nevaeh Brownlee have combined for over 450 assists, and CSU averages over 12 digs per set, led by libero Johanna Holston with 184 digs.
 
ABOUT KENTUCKY STATE (4-19, 3-8 SIAC)
Kentucky State comes into the weekend looking to rebound after a challenging stretch of conference play. Despite their record, the Thorobreds have remained competitive in several close matches, backed by a young but improving roster.
 
KSU averages 9.5 kills and 1.6 blocks per set, with multiple hitters contributing across the front line. Cydne Clayton (164 kills), Laila Wheaton (152 kills), and Ananiah Hugely (126 kills) lead the team offensively, while Zora Nooks leads the back line with 185 digs.
 
ABOUT LEMOYNE-OWEN (3-17, 0-8 SIAC)
LeMoyne-Owen rounds out the field and will look to defend its host court for the second time in three weeks.
 
The Magicians are led by Skyler Ivery with 125 kills (1.95 per set) and Maddelyn Ross with 80 kills (1.57 per set). Meanwhile, Ross (203 assists) and Abbie Chatman (155 assists) lead the offensive plan, while four players have at least 100 digs, led by Jayla Jordan with 226 digs (3.53 per set).
 
First serve for Friday's opener against Lane is scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. matchup with Central State. Saturday's matches against Kentucky State and LeMoyne-Owen are set for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
 
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