Day One complete at 2023 GCAC Volleyball Championship. Top seeds survive and advance

SHREVEPORT – BOSSIER CITY, LA – Hosted on the campus of Bossier Parish Community College in the Billy W. Montgomery Gymnasium, day one was filled with hard-hitting and exciting hustle plays. The day got off to an exciting start with the announcement of the 2023 individual and team awards.

First Round Scores

#8 Tougaloo College 3, #9 Southern University at New Orleans 0 (25-7, 25-15, 25-13)
#2 Dillard University 3, #7 Oakwood University 0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-8)
#1 Talladega 3, #8 Tougaloo 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-17)

Tougaloo 3, SUNO 0 | Box Score

In demanding fashion the eighth-seeded Tougaloo Bulldogs took early control to knock out No. 9 Lady Knights of Southern University at New Orleans in straight sets (25-7, 25-15, 25-13).

Malaysia Hudson led SUNO with an aggressive thirty-five swings and twelve digs. Tougaloo’s Zoie Chambers totaled an impressive eight kills on thirteen attempts hitting .600.

Dillard 3, Oakwood 0 | Box Score

The No. 2 Bleu Devils of Dillard University rigorously set the standard and never looked back in the sweeping defeat of the seventh-seeded Oakwood Ambassadors (25-13, 25-11, 25-8)

Anna Jones represented Oakwood with nine digs and two kills. Meanwhile, the talent of two All GCAC Second-Team members, Vanae Sapp and Sara Da Silva spurred on the win for the Bleu Devils. The dynamic duo racked up eleven kills, ten kills, two block attempts, and capped off by two solo blocks, respectively.
Talladega 3 , Tougaloo 0 | Box Score

No. 8 Tougaloo Bulldogs were put down in straight sets as the top-seeded Talladega Tornadoes took the match 25-20, 25-16, 25-17. The Bulldogs gave the Tornadoes all they had, even taking the lead in the third set. Despite the tug-of-war, Talladega’s grittiness overwhelmed Tougaloo in the end.

Nedu Evans made her mark for the Tornadoes tallying four digs behind 14 kills, while GCAC Player of the Year Zyaire Prettie-Garrit came up just shy of a double-double with 13 kills and nine digs. Taikeidra Joseph led the Bulldogs with eight kills, one assisted block, and one solo block.

Monday, November 6

12 p.m. – No. 4 Philander Smith vs. No. 5 Rust

2 p.m. – No. 3 Fisk vs. No. 6 Wiley

4 p.m. – Semifinal Match 1 – No. 1 Talladega vs. No. 4 Philander Smith/No. 5 Rust Winner

6 p.m. – Semifinal Match 2 – No. 2 Dillard vs. No. 3 Fisk/No. 6 Wiley Winner

GCAC POSTSEASON HONORS

All-GCAC Honorable Mention:

Brayleigh Mitchell, Wiley University

Cameryn Buckner, Oakwood University

Annie Navarez, Rust College

Chasry Lum-King, Dillard University

All-GCAC Second Team:

Vanae Sapp, Dillard University

Nedu Evans, Talladega College

Taylor Hurst, Dillard University

Kiana Polk, Talladega College

Sara Da Silva, Dillard University

Essence Wren, Philander Smith University

Kiah Rucker, Philander Smith University

All-GCAC First Team:

Jadyn Brackins, Fisk University

Nebthet Re, Fisk University

Cadence Thomas,Dillard University

Briyith Echeverri, Talladega College

Iyanla Thigpen, Fisk University

Giovana Costarelli, Talladega College

Zyaire Prettie Garrit,  Talladega College

Assistant Coach of the Year
Laikin Ramirez, Fisk University

Coach of the Year
Lashaunda Spurgeon, Talladega College

Freshman of the Year
Nebthet Re, Fisk University

Newcomer of the Year
Iyanla Thigpen, Fisk University

Defender of the Year
From Fisk University, Jadyn Brackins

The Setter of the Year
 Nebthet Re, Fisk University

Attacker of the Year
Zyaire Prettie-Garrit, Talladega College

Player of the Year
Zyaire Prettie-Garrit, Talladega College

2023 GCAC Volleyball Regular Season Runner-Up
Dillard University

2023 GCAC Volleyball Regular Season Champion — Talladega College