LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (December 18, 2008) -- The Lincoln University volleyball team had a year to remember by posting some significant victories, including its first CIAA triumph. In addition to defeating Saint Paul's College and Valley Forge Christian College for the first time in school history, the Lady Lions enjoyed many unforgettable moments and long road trips. (36-PAGE SEASON IN REVIEW GUIDE)
“The biggest accomplishment this season had to have been our competition level,” said second year coach Schannon Gamble. “We were more competitive this year versus last year.”
Lincoln, which finished with a 7-22 record, played 11 of its 29 matches this season against CIAA opponents. The Lady Lions enjoyed a three-match winning streak during the month of September against Saint Paul's, Medgar Evers and Pratt Institute.
The biggest highlight of the season was Lincoln's sweep of Saint Paul's College. Those victories helped the Lady Lions tie their win total from last year.
Lincoln was led by the senior class of Donneisha Smith (Milwaukee, WI/Harold S. Vincent) (Milwaukee, WI/Vincent), Jordean Matthews (Pleasantville, NJ/Pleasantville) (Pleasantville, NJ/Pleasantville) and Lindsey Wilson (Aliquippa, PA/Aliquippa) (Aliquippa, PA/Aliquippa) throughout the season.
The trio -- as they were affectionately called -- produced some impressive numbers and made several outstanding plays throughout their careers. Together, they combined to play in 903 games, collect 1,417 kills, post 512 service aces, record 1,820 digs and finish with 393 blocks. Gamble admired how they were each others strengths and weaknesses.
“They had a positive domino effect on each other,” said Gamble. “I can honestly say I will miss them and wish I could have them another year to compete for a championship.”
Smith was Lincoln's top hitter, finishing with a team high 153 kills this season and 481 for her career. This was the second consecutive year Smith led the team in kills. Smith finished with double-digit kills four times this season, including a season high of 12 against Goldey Beacom. She registered seven or more kills in 11 games. Smith was one of four players to finish with a positive hitting percentage. Smith was strong defensively for the Lions, collecting 130 digs and recording 17 blocks.
Matthews shined defensively for the Lady Lions. She led the team in blocks for the second straight year finishing with 53 in 2008 and 196 for her career. Matthews showed her versatility by finishing second on the team in digs (143) and assists (17). Matthews had three or more blocks in nine games.
Wilson displayed a combination of power and agility on the court. Wilson's alertness helped her finish as the team leader in digs with 147. Wilson had a season high 11 digs twice against Goucher and West Chester. Wilson was also second on the team with 126 kills and 47 service aces. Wilson had three matches in which she recorded double-digit kills. In a remarkable 24-hour period, Wilson had 23 kills: 11 against Virginia Union in a 3-2 setback and 12 against Saint Paul's in a 3-0 victory on the road. Wilson was one of four players to finish with a positive hitting percentage and one of three players to compete in every game this season.
The Lady Lions played matches in six states this season including the Davis & Elkins tournament in West Virginia, in which Lincoln defeated Central State (Ohio), 3-0 behind 15 assists from sophomore Lia Hubbard (Farrell, PA/Farrell) (Farrell, PA/Farrell) and seven kills from Smith.
In the first meeting against Saint Paul's College, a 3-1 victory, Smith led the Lions with 10 kills while Matthews and Wilson finished with nine. Matthews played a solid game with five blocks, three service aces and three digs. Junior Noel Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) finished with nine digs, five kills and five service aces. Hubbard finished with a season-high 26 assists, along six digs and four service aces.
Lincoln's second victory over Saint Paul's was a road game in which Webster took control finishing with a career high 12 kills. Junior Kenyatta Austin (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception) (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception) had a team high five digs.
Gamble enjoyed the power and drive of Webster, the willingness of Hubbard, the experience of Austin and the potential of the rookie class. Webster in her rookie season managed to lead the Lady Lions in solo blocks this season with 30 and finish second in total blocks with 46. Webster was third on the team with 115 kills and fourth with 105 digs. Webster finished with the second highest hitting percentage and was one of three players to play in every game.
Hubbard shined in her role finishing with 396 assists more then any other Lincoln player in school history. Hubbard will enter her junior year with 730 assists. Hubbard also led the Lady Lions with 52 services aces. Hubbard had 20 or more assists six times this season. Austin finished the season with 43 kills and had a season high of five against Virginia Union.
The rookie class of Shantell Fletcher (Philadelphia, PA/Scotland School) (Philadelphia, PA/Scotland School), Rahinet Koti (Bronx, NY/Walton) and Raisa Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Masterman) (Philadelphia, PA/Masterman) stepped up to the challenge this season.
“Shantell came in and did exactly what I thought she would do,” Gamble said. “She is a very coachable young lady who I can put anywhere on the court and will come out swinging. Rahinet is someone who will be a threat in the future, in not playing for an extended period of made her a little rusty, but I think she will be fine in the years to come. Raisa came through for us in the clutch when our starters were down. She's able to fill in any spot that I am able to put her into”
Fletcher played in 45 games this season finishing with 18 digs. Fletcher had three of her four aces against Medgar Evers College. Koti, although only having played in nine games this season was the team leader in hitting percentage (.333). Jones proved to be an asset to the team often showing her willingness to play on and off the court. Jones had a career high five kills against Saint Paul's College and three aces against Virginia Union.
“The biggest difference this year was I had more girls who knew the basics of volleyball,” said Gamble. As time prevails we will keep bringing in more people who will start a legacy.”
Assistant Athletics Director Rob Knox contributed to this article.
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