Women's Volleyball Team Continues Winning Streak

The team hosted two home matches over the historic Fisk University Jubilee Day and Weekend, and they emerged victorious in both contests against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) opponents, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) and Dillard University. They finished their weekend on a high note and extended their winning streak to eight.

Friday night's showdown against SUNO was a memorable one. It marked SUNO's first match of the season as they aim to revitalize the sport of volleyball and rebuild their athletic department and sports programs. The Fisk Lady Bulldogs displayed their force by sweeping SUNO in three sets (25-7, 25-14, 25-6). It was an outstanding team effort, but several key players stood out.

Freshman S/OPP Nebthet Re (FR/Marietta, GA) continued to shine in the GCAC, recording an impressive 12 kills and an outstanding .522 hitting percentage. Freshman Setter Trinity Britt (FR/Gainesville, FL) led the team with 16 assists, while Sophomore Lori Rocha (SO/Mount Juliet, TN) showcased her serving abilities with six aces. It was a statement win for the Lady Bulldogs as they continued their ascent in the conference.

The match against Dillard University proved to be a thrilling battle between two of the top teams in the conference. Fisk secured a memorable victory in three sets (25-23, 25-18, 25-21), marking their first win over Dillard since 2017.

The Lady Bulldogs faced an early 5-0 deficit against Dillard but fought back to tie the score at 20-20. Lori Rocha's strong serving added pressure to Dillard's serve receive, and Yani Thigpen's block pulled Fisk ahead 23-22. Dillard responded with a kill by Freshman Candance Thomas to tie the game at 23-23, creating intense pressure for both teams.

Freshman Nebthet Re stepped up with two consecutive swings that took Dillard out of the system, ultimately leading to a big swing by Junior Outside Hitter Trinity Crawford (JR/Fort Worth, TX). Nebthet Re closed out the set 25-23 with an ace, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Fisk's offense continued to shine throughout the contest, consistently attacking with over a .231 hitting percentage in every set.

Freshman Gabby Huntley contributed ten kills with a strong .300 hitting percentage, and Grad Senior Middle Yani Thigpen had an impressive 11 kills with a remarkable .526 hitting percentage for the match. Nebthet Re's performance was outstanding, recording a double-double with 22 assists and ten digs, while Senior libero Jadyn Brackins (SR/Spring Hill, TN) led the defense with 16 digs.

Head Coach Jessica Enderle expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance: "We are starting to peak at the right time. While I did think we played well against Dillard, there is still much room for us to continue growing. Our background has been consistently solid all year. Our offense is now starting to settle in and swinging with confidence. Our young setters bought in early on and continue to learn each match. My team enjoys each other, and they enjoy working together to earn their success. They are truly a special bunch!"

The Lady Bulldogs will return to their home court on Monday for an early match at 11:00 AM against SUNO, replacing the originally scheduled game for September 9, 2023.