Lady Dawgs Start Off Postseason Against Voorhees
Game 27: #12 Voorhees University Tigers (14-14, 5-13 HBCUAC) at #5 Fisk University Lady Bulldogs (10-16, 10-8 HBCUAC)
Date/Time: Tuesday February 25, 2025, 4 p.m. (CST)
Watch: UEN Network
Location: Stillman College – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
NASHVILLE (February 24, 2025) – As the regular season has concluded, the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs now shift their focus to the postseason, where they are set to face Voorhees University in the HBCUAC First Round on February 25, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. With a current record of 10-16 overall and 10-8 in the HBCUAC, the Bulldogs aim to leverage their experiences from the regular season to advance in the playoffs.
Fisk sits in the fifth seed, so it won't be an easy task. Head coach Victoria Crawford is one win away from her 50th win at Fisk. Voorhees comes as winners of three of the last four games including a win over Oakwood, who defeated Fisk in overtime last month. Fisk is 2-0 head-to-head in this year's series.
"They are coming in on a roll," said Crawford expressing her thoughts on the upcoming challenge against Voorhees. "We have beat them twice, so they know what we want to do. They have played better as the season has come along."
The upcoming postseason presents an opportunity for the Bulldogs to demonstrate their growth and compete at a higher level. The coaching staff and players are undoubtedly analyzing their performance, identifying strengths to build upon and weaknesses to address. The lessons learned from the challenging finale against Stillman College will serve as valuable insights as they prepare for the critical matchup against Voorhees University.
Key Areas of Focus
To succeed in the postseason, the Lady Bulldogs will need to focus on several key areas. First and foremost, maintaining a strong defensive presence will be crucial. The ability to limit the opponent's scoring opportunities and create turnovers will be vital in close contests. The team's frontcourt, led by Keeli Burton-Oliver and Jayal Bibbs, must continue to dominate the boards and control the paint.
Moreover, efficient ball movement and offensive execution will be essential. Courtney Lumpkins' playmaking abilities and vision on the court will play a pivotal role in orchestrating the offense and ensuring that the team capitalizes on scoring opportunities. The Bulldogs must also improve their shooting accuracy and consistency, which will be critical in high-stakes postseason games.
Building on Individual Performances
The individual performances of players like Burton-Oliver, Bibbs, and Lumpkins have been standout elements of the Bulldogs' season. As they head into the postseason, it will be important for these key players to continue leading by example and elevating their game. Their contributions on both ends of the floor will be instrumental in the team's success.
Additionally, the supporting cast must step up and provide valuable contributions. Depth and versatility are essential in the playoffs, and the Bulldogs will need every player to bring their best performance to advance. The coaching staff will undoubtedly emphasize the importance of teamwork, communication, and unity as they prepare for the postseason challenges.
Embracing the Postseason Challenge
The postseason presents a fresh start and an opportunity for the Bulldogs to showcase their resilience and determination. The lessons learned from the regular season, including the tough loss to Stillman College, will serve as motivation and fuel for their playoff journey. The Bulldogs have demonstrated their potential and ability to compete, and now it's time to embrace the challenge and strive for success in the HBCUAC tournament.
The upcoming matchup against Voorhees University will be a significant test, but it also presents an opportunity for redemption and growth. The Bulldogs' journey through the regular season has prepared them for this moment, and they are poised to give their best effort on the postseason stage. With a combination of individual talent, team spirit, and strategic preparation, the Fisk University Bulldogs are ready to make their mark in the playoffs.
Key Matchup
Ty'Shemia Bunkley and Nedishia Ford give Voorhees a formidable inside-outside. Bunkley can score all over the court. She leads the team with 64 three pointers made. Ford is a 5'5 playmaker that can hurt you in transition and loves to get in the paint. Fisk will have to use several players to keep them at bay.
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In the playoffs, there always seems to be someone that steps up out of nowhere. Freshman sensation Kayla Lee has received some important minutes off the bench. Look for her and classmate Teniya Williams to be keys to any success that the Lady Bulldogs have.
UP NEXT: The winner will take on top seed Stillman College on Thursday.