GCAC 2022 Volleyball Championship First Round Recaps

First Round Scores
#2 Philander Smith College 3, #7 Oakwood University 0 (25-5, 25-16, 25-11)
#3 Fisk University 3, #6 Tougaloo College 0 (25-18, 25-10, 25-15)
#4 Wiley College 3, #5 Rust College 1 (25-22, 25-27, 25-20, 25-14)

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Hosted on the campus of Dillard University at Dent Hall, the first day of the 2022 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Volleyball Tournament, presented by Pantene My Black is Beautiful, was full of excitement from exciting rallies to awards.

Philander Smith 3, Oakwood 0
Second-seed Philander Smith College pushed past No. 7 Oakwood University, 3-0 (25-5, 25-16, 25-11), in their opening round matchup.

Vladana Radovic posted a match-high seven service aces while Essence Wren collected 24 assists for Philander Smith. J. Bucknor recorded a match-high nine digs in the effort.

Fisk 3, Tougaloo 0
In the battle of the Bulldogs, No. 3 Fisk grabbed a spot in the GCAC Tournament semifinals with its win over sixth-seeded Tougaloo, 3-0 (25-18, 25-10, 25-15).

The Nashville-based Bulldogs were paced by 12 kills from Skye Faucher, who was one dig shy of a double-double. Tougaloo’s Haley Porter tallied 11 digs.

Wiley 3, Rust 1
The first day of competition wrapped with fourth-seeded Wiley holding off No. 5 Rust in extra sets, 3-1 (25-22, 25-27, 25-20, 25-14).

Deja Campbell tallied a match-high 18 digs for Rust. LeAndria Jackson posted 38 assists and Kia Robertson finished with a pair of solo blocks in the contest to help Wiley win.

In Saturday’s first semifinal round match, No. 2 Philander Smith College will face off against third-seeded Fisk at 4 p.m. Top-seeded Dillard University, which earned an opening round bye, will take on Wiley at 6 p.m.

Before the start of the opening round matches, the GCAC announced its postseason award winners, including a special recognition for senior Desire Neal of Dillard University, who missed her final season of eligibility due to a career-ending injury.

Fisk University’s Jessica Enderle was named GCAC Coach of the Year while her assistant, Laykin Ramirez, received the Assistant Coach of the Year nod.

Fans may watch the entire 2022 GCAC Tournament live on the free HBCU League Pass+ app, available in both the Google and iOS stores, Match-by-match updates will be available on the conference’s social media accounts.

GCAC Postseason Honors
Player of the Year – Jordan Johnson, Philander Smith
Attacker of the Year – Jordan Johnson, Philander Smith
Setter of the Year – Essence Wren, Philander Smith
Defender of the Year – Jadyn Brackins, Fisk
Newcomer of the Year – Jordan Johnson, Philander Smith
Freshman of the Year – Essence Wren, Philander Smith

GCAC All-Conference Teams
First Team
Codi Fillmore, Dillard
Taylor Hurst, Dillard
Jadyn Brackins, Fisk
Essence Wren, Philander Smith
DeAundria Green, Philander Smith
Jordan Johnson, Philander Smith
Marissa Neal, Wiley

Second Team
Chasry Lum-King, Dillard
Vanae Sapp, Dillard
Trinity Crawford, Fisk
Tiana Dalton, Fisk
Skye Faucher, Fisk
Vladana Radovic, Philander Smith
Jasmine Coleman, Rust

Honorable Mention
Nyla Troncoso, Fisk
Lela Collier, Philander Smith
Bailey Jones, Tougaloo
Shayla Arthur, Wiley