ETTRICK, Va. — The Lincoln University volleyball team closed CIAA Round-Up II on a winning note Sunday, defeating Johnson C. Smith in four sets to capture its first conference victory of the season.
The Lions earned the 25–11, 25–14, 23–25, 25–23 victory behind strong serving, balanced offensive production and a determined fourth-set comeback. Lincoln finished the three-day event, held October 16–18 at Virginia State University's Multipurpose Center, with a 1–5 record.
Elise Carter (Smyrna, DE/Smyrna HS) and
Yvette Mercedes (Columbia, MD/) led Lincoln with nine kills apiece against the Golden Bulls. Carter added 13 digs and three service aces, while Mercedes contributed two aces.
Amira Billingsley (Glen Burnie, MD/) finished with eight kills and five blocks, and
Audreynette Lydgate (Bowie, MD/Charles Herbert Flowers HS) added six kills.
Charly Manley (Upper Marlboro, MD/Frederick Douglass HS) delivered an all-around performance with 22 assists, six service aces, five blocks and five digs.
Donavyn Morris (Chester, PA/) anchored the back row with a match-high 20 digs and added three aces, while
Jhordynn Rowson (Virginia Beach , VA/) collected 10 digs.
Lincoln set the tone immediately, scoring the first seven points of the opening set behind Manley's serve. The Lions maintained control to take the frame 25–11, then used another extended service run in the second set to build a commanding advantage. With Morris serving, Lincoln stretched a 16–12 lead to 24–12 before securing the set 25–14.
Johnson C. Smith extended the match with a narrow 25–23 third-set victory and appeared positioned to force a deciding fifth set after taking a 15–7 lead in the fourth.
Lincoln responded with eight consecutive points, including two Mercedes aces and three blocks, to tie the score at 15–15. The Lions later moved ahead 21–18 before the Golden Bulls pulled even at 22–22. A JCSU service error and a Billingsley kill gave Lincoln match point, and the Lions sealed the victory on a Golden Bulls setting error.
Lincoln finished with 34 kills, 15 service aces, eight team blocks and 75 digs, holding Johnson C. Smith to a negative .019 hitting percentage. The victory improved the Lions to 2–24 overall and 1–15 in CIAA play.
Earlier in the weekend, Lincoln dropped three-set matches to Bluefield State and Claflin on Friday, Livingstone and Fayetteville State on Saturday, and Winston-Salem State in Sunday's opening contest.
Up Next
The Lions return to action Monday, October 26, hosting Elizabeth City State at 6 p.m.
