BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie State women's volleyball team will return to conference action this weekend when the Bulldogs travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., for the first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Round-Up of the 2026 season, hosted by Winston-Salem State University. The three-day event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4, with Bowie State slated to compete in six matches against conference opponents.
Bowie State enters the Round-Up at 3-5 overall and 1-2 in CIAA play following a 3-0 victory over Virginia Union University on Monday at A.C. Jordan Arena. The Bulldogs will look to carry the momentum from that victory into a demanding conference weekend.
When: Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4
Where: Winston-Salem, N.C.
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Bulldogs Carry Momentum into CIAA Round-Up
Bowie State closed its three-match homestand on a high note Monday, sweeping Virginia Union, 3-0, behind a balanced offensive and defensive effort. Abena Asomani-Martin led the Bulldogs offensively with nine kills while hitting an impressive .643, while also recording eight digs. Taylor Johnson added eight kills, seven digs, two service aces and three total blocks. Gabrielle Hale continued to direct the Bowie State offense with 27 assists, while also contributing three kills and one service ace. Jy'Asha Cousins provided a strong presence at the net with five total blocks and five kills. The Bulldogs controlled the match from the opening set and closed out the victory with a 25-16 third-set win. The victory snapped a three-match conference losing streak and gave Bowie State its first CIAA victory of the season.
A Busy Weekend in Winston-Salem
The Bulldogs will face six conference opponents over the three-day Round-Up, providing Bowie State with an opportunity to gain valuable ground in the CIAA standings. Bowie State will open the weekend Friday, Oct. 2, against Bluefield State University at 11 a.m., before returning to action at 3 p.m. against Johnson C. Smith University. The Bulldogs will continue play Saturday, Oct. 3, facing Claflin University at 9 a.m. before taking on Livingstone College at 3 p.m. Bowie State will close the Round-Up Sunday, Oct. 4, with a 9 a.m. matchup against Fayetteville State University, followed by a 1 p.m. contest against host Winston-Salem State University.
Offensive Attack Led by Asomani-Martin and Johnson
Bowie State's offensive attack has been paced by several key contributors throughout the early portion of the season. Asomani-Martin has continued to provide a consistent presence on the outside, while Johnson has contributed in multiple areas of the game with kills, blocks, digs and service aces. Their ability to contribute both offensively and defensively will be important during a Round-Up featuring six matches in three days.Hale has also continued to quarterback the Bulldogs' offense from the setter position. Her 27-assist performance against Virginia Union followed a 29-assist effort against Elizabeth City State, giving her 56 assists across Bowie State's last two matches. Marte has provided stability in the back row, while Cousins and Melisa Anacius have supplied a physical presence at the net. The combination of offensive production and defensive play will be important as Bowie State navigates a challenging conference schedule.
Round-Up Provides Early Conference Test
The CIAA Round-Up format will provide Bowie State with its first opportunity of the season to play multiple conference opponents at one centralized event. The Bulldogs will have six matches across three days, making depth, preparation and consistency especially important. Bowie State opened CIAA play with three consecutive home matches against Virginia State, Elizabeth City State and Virginia Union before heading into the Round-Up. The Bulldogs fell to Virginia State and Elizabeth City State before earning their first conference victory with Monday's sweep of Virginia Union. The Round-Up is also part of a conference schedule that will see Bowie State compete in a second CIAA Round-Up later in October. The second event is scheduled for Oct. 16-18 in Petersburg, Va., hosted by Virginia State University.
Looking Ahead
Following the first CIAA Round-Up, Bowie State will return to conference play Thursday, Oct. 8, when the Bulldogs travel to Raleigh, N.C., to face Shaw University at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs will then visit Elizabeth City State on Oct. 12 before returning to Round-Up action later in the month.
With six conference matches on the schedule this weekend, Bowie State will look to build on Monday's victory and continue developing momentum as the Bulldogs move deeper into the 2026 CIAA campaign.
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