PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – On the heels of an arduous out-of-conference slate, the Prairie View A&M volleyball team now turns its attention to the league portion of its schedule, which begins with the Lady Panthers hosting the first of two Southwestern Athletic Conference volleyball roundup of the season.
The three-day roundup allows for teams on the western side of the conference's geographic footprint to face off against teams located in the eastern portion. All matches will be split between the Baby Dome and the PVAMU Recreational Center.
The Lady Panthers begin play on Friday at 3 p.m. versus Mississippi Valley State. Prairie View concludes day one with a 7:30 p.m. tilt with Alcorn State and returns to action Saturday at 12:30 p.m. versus defending SWAC Volleyball Tournament champions Alabama State, followed by a 5:30 p.m. matchup versus 2018 runner-up and defending regular-season champions Alabama A&M. The Lady Panthers end the roundup with a 3 p.m. contest versus Jackson State.
Prairie View A&M has three players with 100 or more kills this season, with junior middle blocker Victoria Pearson leading the way with 134 kills (2.53 per set) on a .241 attack percentage. Pearson also leads the team in blocks with 31. Junior outside hitter Tamaira Armstrong (108 kills) and senior right side hitter CeTara Carter (105 kills) have contributed significantly in the Lady Panthers' offense as well.
Setters Jakarta Hope (202 assists; 4.93 per set) and Erica Jiminez (195 assists; 3.9 per set) have performed well in directing the offense, and freshman libero Skyla Childs has been impressive on the back line with 221 digs, a figure that leads the conference.
All Prairie View A&M matches will be played in the Baby Dome.
Scouting the Competition:
- Mississippi Valley State (3-13) heads into league play off a 3-0 win versus Tougaloo College. Sophomore outside hitter Tyler Caliste has become the team's top all-around player, leading the Devilettes in kills (96) and assists (128) while ranking third in digs (78). Jessica Bell and Tylia Dixon anchor the back end, having combined for 270 digs through the year.
- Alcorn State (2-7) has played the least amount of matches among league teams so far in 2019, but fields a balanced offensive attack with four players that have notched 38 kills or better. Jeda Curry paces the Lady Braves with 50 spikes. Jasmine Chambers orchestrates the attack with 144 assists, and Fiapaipai Iosia leads the team with 108 digs.
- Alabama State (3-11) is led by seniors Bayle' Bennett (152 kills) and Krysta Medearis (127 kills), an impressive duo that ranks among the SWAC's top five individually in kills. Bennett has also recorded 130 digs on the season, second-most for the Lady Hornets. Junior E'laisah Young has been a difference maker at the net, as the newcomer leads the team with 30 blocks.
- Alabama A&M (3-10) comes into the weekend with seven players that have notched 30-plus kills. Alana Cox leads with 105 kills on a .292 attack percentage, followed by preseason Player of the Year Maya Evans (90 K), who is statistically the most efficient attacker in the conference as evidenced by her .368 hitting percentage. Megan Evans has put up 350 assists, and defensively, Cox sets the pace with 34 blocks on the season. Three players have posted 100-plus digs, led by Maci Battle (157).
- Jackson State (3-12) is reaping the benefits of its new blood so far in 2019. The Lady Tigers have gotten a stellar freshman campaign from outside hitter Jylen Whitten to this point in the year, who has put away 143 kills and 107 digs, the former figure leading the team. Junior newcomer setter DeKyra Dennis (183 assists) and freshman Damassy Thompson (168 assists) have directed the offense well so far. Freshman Alana Washington leads the team with 204 digs, while junior middle blocker Marina Bianchi Brito has figured in on 31 blocks this year.
How to Follow:
- Live Stats for all Prairie View A&M matches will be provided HERE. Live Stats links for the rest of the weekend's matches will be provided as available.
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