BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie State women's volleyball team will return to Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) action Thursday, Oct. 8, when the Bulldogs travel to Raleigh, N.C., to face Shaw University. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium as Bowie State looks to build on a strong finish to the first CIAA Round-Up of the 2026 season.
Bowie State enters Thursday's matchup at 6-8 overall and 4-5 in CIAA play after splitting its final two matches of the Round-Up on Sunday. The Bulldogs defeated Fayetteville State University, 3-2, before falling to Winston-Salem State University, 3-0. The victory over Fayetteville State marked an important conference win for Bowie State as the Bulldogs continue to battle for positioning in the CIAA standings.
When: Thursday, Oct. 8 – 6 p.m.
Where: C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium – Raleigh, NC
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Bulldogs Carry Momentum Into Raleigh
Bowie State enters the matchup with confidence following a comeback victory over FSU. The Bulldogs dropped the opening two sets before rallying to win the final three, 26-24, 25-23 and 15-13, to secure the five-set victory. Bowie State finished the match with 51 kills and hit .171 as a team while battling through 175 total attacks.
The Bulldogs also opened the CIAA Round-Up with back-to-back victories over Bluefield State and Johnson C. Smith, giving Bowie State four conference victories during the opening portion of league play. Bowie State defeated Bluefield State, 3-1, before sweeping Johnson C. Smith, 3-0, on the opening day of the Round-Up.
Hale Continues to Direct the Offense
Setter Gabrielle Hale continues to serve as the catalyst for the Bowie State offense. Hale was named to the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Team and has provided consistent production from the setter position throughout the season. Against Winston-Salem State on Sunday, Hale recorded 22 assists, while also contributing a kill and a service ace.
The Bulldogs will also look to Taylor Johnson, Abena Asomani-Martin, Jy'Asha Cousins and Mil'lanni Marte to provide production throughout the lineup. Johnson recorded eight kills, five digs and a service ace against Winston-Salem State, while Cousins finished with three blocks. Marte added seven digs as Bowie State continued to rely on a balanced attack and defensive effort.
Shaw Presents Another CIAA Challenge
Shaw enters Thursday's matchup as one of the CIAA's established programs and was selected to finish second in the 2026 CIAA preseason poll, behind defending champion Fayetteville State. The Lady Bears advanced to the 2025 CIAA championship match and have captured two conference championships in recent seasons, winning titles in 2023 and 2024.
Shaw is led by several experienced contributors, including Sydni Hunter, who was selected to the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Team after earning First Team All-CIAA honors in 2025. The Lady Bears will look to use their home-court advantage inside C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium when Bowie State comes to Raleigh.
Thursday's match will also serve as Shaw's Black Out event. The contest is the first of two scheduled meetings between Bowie State and Shaw during the 2026 regular season, with the Lady Bears scheduled to return to Bowie on Oct. 29 for the second matchup.
Bulldogs Look to Continue Conference Progress
The Bulldogs have shown steady progress during CIAA competition, earning four conference victories through the first nine league matches of the season. After opening conference play with losses to Virginia State and Elizabeth City State, Bowie State earned a sweep over Virginia Union before winning three of its first four matches at the CIAA Round-Up.
With another conference road test ahead, Bowie State will look to maintain its momentum, execute consistently and continue climbing the CIAA standings as the Bulldogs enter the next stretch of the 2026 season.
Looking Ahead
Following Thursday's matchup at Shaw, Bowie State will remain on the road Monday, Oct. 12, when the Bulldogs travel to Elizabeth City, N.C., to face Elizabeth City State University at 6 p.m. Bowie State will then return to CIAA Round-Up action Oct. 16-18 in Petersburg, Va., hosted by Virginia State University.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, please visit BSUBulldogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on social media.
