TUSKEGEE, Ala. - The Tuskegee volleyball team heads to Memphis, Tenn., this weekend for another key Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Cluster hosted by LeMoyne-Owen.
The Golden Tigers will face Edward Waters and Benedict on Friday, Oct. 10, before closing play against Fort Valley State on Saturday, Oct. 11.
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (9-6, 3-5 SIAC)
Offensively, the Golden Tigers have been a balanced team so far this season and average 10.5 kills per set while hitting just under .150 hitting on the year.
The attack is powered by junior Najwa Williams, who has been a force at the net all season. Williams leads the team with 119 kills (2.38 per set) and is hitting .186. Complementing Williams is fellow junior Zariah Messick, whose versatility and power on the outside have given Tuskegee a reliable second scoring option. Messick has totaled 102 kills (2.49 per set) along with 85 digs, 14 service aces, and 11 blocks. She has recorded double-digit kills in four matches this season, including the last game against Tougaloo, finishing with 18 kills and eight digs on .500 hitting.
The Golden Tigers' setting duo of Mikea Allen and Sahnee Dillahunt-Nedd has emerged as a major strength. Allen, a senior, has shown poise and creativity directing the offense, averaging 4.43 assists (217) and 2.76 digs per set (135), while Dillahunt-Nedd brings steadiness and strong serving, adding 186 assists, 73 digs, and 15 aces on the year.
Defensively, the Golden Tigers have been relying recently on freshman Jasmine Brantley on the back line. Brantley is third on the team with 125 digs and boasts a .899 serve-receive percentage. Fellow freshman Micah Lloyd has also provided valuable depth in the backcourt, while Gabriella Jones and Jordyn Jones have solidified the middle with 39 blocks each along with over 110 kills.
ABOUT EDWARD WATERS (3-8, 3-3 SIAC)
Edward Waters enters the cluster looking to regain momentum after recent league play. The Tigers are averaging 9.3 kills and 1.6 aces per set with a team hitting percentage of .108.
Offensively, they are led by Naomy Vergez, who averages 3.92 kills per set and has 162.5 total points this season, and Alexis Simpson, who adds 2.38 kills and 2.71 points per set. Defensively, Simpson also leads the team with 82 digs (2.10 per set), while Skylar Fick and Zakiyyah Abdul have combined for 35 blocks.
ABOUT BENEDICT (11-2, 5-1 SIAC)
Benedict has emerged as one of the top teams in the East Division, posting a .222 hitting percentage while holding opponents to just .095.
The Tigers are led offensively by Mia Burgess (3.10 kills per set, 152 total kills) and Nyla Troncoso (2.09 kills per set, .209 hitting percentage). Benedict also ranks among league leaders in service aces (2.41 per set) and digs (12.6 per set). Setter Willow Alls has been instrumental in keeping the offense balanced with 280 assists, followed by Jadyn Murry with 166, while four Tigers help anchor the back row with over 90 digs each.
ABOUT FORT VALLEY STATE (10-2, 6-0 SIAC)
Fort Valley State comes in as the hottest team in the conference, winning six of its last seven matches.
The Wildcats are averaging 11.6 kills, 2.7 aces, and 15.5 digs per set, all among the best marks in the SIAC. Offensively, they are led by Benaye Kyle (3.96 points per set), Dakotah Holmes (3.64 points per set), and Imani Stokes (3.11 points per set). Defensively, libero Naoma Yancey leads the Wildcats with 155 digs (4.08 per set), while Stokes and Caytlyn Sanford have combined for 46 total blocks.
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