FAIRMONT, WV -- To close out the Fairmont State Classic, the Bowie State women's volleyball team continued their trend and split a pair of matches to conclude day two of the event. The Bulldogs fell in three straight sets to Anderson University but quickly bounced back against Lees-McRae College, securing a hard-fought victory.
Match 1 | Bowie State vs. Anderson University (SC)
The first set commenced with Anderson taking an early lead, initiated by a kill from Jacey Olsen. BSU briefly responded with consecutive points, including two kills by
Spring Terry, leveling the score at 3-3. The Trojans then dominated the remainder of the set, BSU struggled to regain momentum. Ava Reeves added crucial points for the Trojans, and Maura Kindel's final kill secured the 25-6 victory for Anderson in the first set.
Anderson dominated the second set with a strong offensive showing, opening with a 9-0 run. Ellie Nieporte played a pivotal role, assisting on multiple kills including those by Maura Kindel and Olsen. Bowie State struggled to find rhythm, with
Amara Pope and
Dyllan Chandler contributing to the scoring but unable to halt Anderson's momentum.
In the third set, Anderson capitalized on a series of scoring runs to secure a decisive 25-10.
Gabrielle Hale led the Bulldogs with a perfect attack percentage, recording one kill on a single attempt, and contributed eight assists over three sets.
Trinity Loundmon added four assists and one dig while
Christina San made an impact by scoring two kills on three attempts, achieving a .667 hitting percentage.
Match 2 | Bowie State vs. Lees McRae College
During match two, the Bulldogs entered the match with vengeance. The opening set began with Bowie State taking an early advantage thanks to a series of attack errors by the Trojans. A key moment occurred when
Payton Swinton delivered a service ace at 8-4, initiating a momentum shift that led to the Bulldogs amassing five consecutive points. Lees-McRae, known as the Bobcats, struggled to regain control, hampered by service errors and blocks from
Jy'Asha Cousins and
Abena Asomani-Martin. Although the Trojans mounted a brief comeback, BSU maintained their lead, closing the set with a decisive kill by
Damani Myers to secure a 25-18 victory in the first set.
The Bulldogs dominated the second set, capitalizing on several Lees-McRae errors to establish control. Swinton again, led the offensive charge, contributing multiple kills, including one assisted by
Mil'lanni Marte. A service ace by
Bracey Gross brought them to set point, and Cousins sealed the 25-16 victory with a decisive kill, assisted by Hale.
In the third set, the Trojans managed to edge out Bowie State in a closely contested set. Addi Stables and Peyton Volk-Tuller were instrumental for the LMRC, contributing multiple kills and a service ace. Despite a late rally that brought the score to 24-24, Lees-McRae secured the set with a block by Stables and Joy Bateman, followed by another block that sealed the 26-24 victory.
BSU secured the fourth set with a 25-23 victory over the Trojans, highlighted by an early surge led by Hale's effective serving. Hale assisted on multiple kills, contributing to a 7-0 lead before a service error shifted momentum. Lees-McRae responded, capitalizing on errors to narrow the gap and eventually take an 18-15 lead. However, the Bulldogs regained control with key plays by Swinton and Cousins, leveling the score at 18-18. In the tense final moments, an attack error by Bateman and a decisive kill by Hale sealed the set for BSU.
Swinton led the scoring effort with 19 kills and added five service aces, contributing significantly to the Bulldogs points total. Hale orchestrated the offense with 41 assists, setting a solid foundation for their attack. Cousins made an impact at the net, recording five total blocks, including two solo efforts. Asomani-Martin contributed with seven kills and bolstered the defense with eight digs.
The Bulldogs concludes the Fairmont State Classic with an even 2-2 record on the young 2026 season.
Looking ahead, Bowie State will have more than a two week break until they face Norfolk State University on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The match is set for 6 p.m. at Jim Jarrett Athletic Building in Norfolk, Va.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 14 varsity sport teams, visit BSUBulldogs.com.
