Alabama State Volleyball Hands Alabama A&M 1st Conference Loss

First conference loss of 2018 for the Bulldogs; Lady Hornets clinch No. 2 seed

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama | The moment was never too big. Not for this Alabama State volleyball team. Despite relinquishing a two set lead, the Lady Hornets displayed an aura of calm amidst the chaos in the final set and gave Alabama A&M its first conference loss of 2018 with a dramatic five-set (25-19, 25-17, 25-27, 23-25, 15-8) victory in front of a raucous crowd at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium.

"We have been in these moments before and it didn't overwhelm our team tonight," Alabama State head coach Penny Lucas-White said. "There were some calls down the stretch that could have gone the other way and maybe we could have won in three or four sets, but, having to go to five, we came out really strong and made a statement. That statement is that this Alabama State team is who they are, and who they are is who they have always been. They are winners."

With one regular-season contest remaining, the Lady Hornets (18-17, 15-2 SWAC) are assured the No. 2 seed at the conference tournament while the Lady Bulldogs (20-13, 16-1) clinched the regular-season title and the No. 1 seed despite tonight's loss. This is due to the game differential tie-breaker. AAMU defeated ASU in four games during its victory earlier in the season, while ASU needed five games to beat AAMU tonight, rendering the result of the final regular season SWAC contest inconsequential to the final standings.

BOX SCORE

Junior Bayle' Bennett led the charge with 18 kills and five blocks and now has 902 career-kills. Taira Cottingham supplemented the Lady Hornets with a pivotal third hitter and put down 11-of-17 attacks (.471) in addition to four blocks. Krysta Medearis spiked home 15 attacks, Kori Kutsch grabbed another double-double (43 assists, 12 digs) and Alabama State dominated statistically, outhitting Alabama A&M (.289 - .171) and swatting 12 blocks to just four for the Bulldogs.

Both teams exchanged the lead multiple times in the opening frame as Payten Clark (seven total blocks) swatted back three Bulldogs' attacks and Cottingham put down three early kills to force a 10-10 tie. After falling behind 13-16, Lucas-White used a timeout that ignited a 5-0 run, with senior Candace Martin making her presence known, sandwiching a kill and block around an Alabama A&M error. Alabama State dominated the stanza from that point forward as Medearis capped the frame with an emphatic spike. The Lady Hornets outhit Alabama A&M .280 - .000 in the opener and amassed five blocks to the Bulldogs' one. Medearis (four kills), Cottingham (three) and Kutsch (10 assists) starred for Alabama State. The dropped set was the first for Alabama A&M in seven matches.

The Lady Hornets carried the momentum in to the initial stages of the second set, building a 14-9 lead behind a complete-team effort as numerous players got in on the action. Following a Maya Evans' service ace to trim the Lady Hornets' lead down to 19-17, Medearis hammered back-to-back kills to spark a thunderous 6-0 run to win the stanza, capped by two service aces from senior Kayla Torres. Alabama State once again dominated the stat sheet, hitting a stout .385 to the Bulldogs' .261. Medearis picked up four additional kills while Kutsch assisted on ten attacks. The Lady Hornets also committed just one service error and picked up four aces in the set.

Alabama A&M grabbed the opening point of a set for the first time in the third frame before the Lady Hornets built on an early 8-3 lead. The hosts would not go down without a fight, using a 7-1 run to regain the lead. Following a 13-12 Alabama A&M lead, tense moments followed with four lead changes and six ties as the teams edged to a 25-25 tie. The Lady Hornets lost a golden opportunity with the chance at set point on two occasions before dropping the match, 27-25. Bennett put down six kills in the stanza and for the first time the Bulldogs outhit Alabama State (.211 - .114).

An Alabama A&M error gave the Lady Hornets an early 3-2 lead in the fourth set; however, the advantage was short-lived when the Lady Bulldogs used two runs (5-0 and 4-1) to grab a 17-13 lead and force a Lady Hornets timeout. Bennett grabbed a late block and kill as Alabama State once again used their veteran moxie to force another Bulldogs' timeout at 21-23. Despite a heroic effort and outhitting Alabama A&M by .200 percentage points (.400 - .200), the Bulldogs won the set and overcame five blocks from a contingent of Lady Hornets.

Kutsch propelled a 5-0 run in the deciding fifth set to force an early timeout and Bennett and Medearis continued the onslaught with four points sandwiched around a Bulldogs' error, stretching the Lady Hornets lead out to 10-3. With a cool and loose confidence indicative of the entire match, Martin calmly spiked two late kills before an Alabama A&M error gave Alabama State the match.

The Lady Hornets will play their final regular-season conference match Monday, November 5, at Jackson State before closing out the season at home on November, 7 against Florida A&M.

Follow the Lady Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State volleyball, follow the Lady Hornets on social media at @BamaStateVB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State Athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Hall of Fame Ceremony to remain in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Though the 2018 Toyota SWAC Football Championship has relocated to the campus of the highest-ranking divisional champion, the 2018 Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame reception will remain in Birmingham.

Seven of the league’s most integral contributors – Alcorn State’s Dave Washington, Jr., Alabama State's Larry Watkins, Grambling State's Ralph A. Garr, Sr., Jackson State’s Eric Strothers, Prairie View A&M's Nathaniel Gross, Southern's Roger Cador, and longtime league administrator Lonza Hardy – are set to be enshrined on Nov. 30 at The Sheraton in Birmingham, Ala. The induction ceremony begins with a reception at 6 p.m.

The newest members of the Hall of Fame were selected from a list of nominees who were submitted by his or her respective institution. The nominees were then elected for induction by the selection committee from members appointed by SWAC Presidents and Chancellors.



The SWAC Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been held as a marquee event as part the lead-up to the Toyota SWAC Football Championship game. To date, 239 esteemed individuals have received the conference's highest honor in recognition of their accomplishments within the conference and the indelible mark made on the league's rich history.

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Gold Nuggets clinch tie for GCAC regular-season title

NEW ORLEANS — Four Xavier University of Louisiana players combined for 32 kills and a .410 hitting percentage Thursday and helped the Gold Nuggets score a 25-13, 25-18, 25-8 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference volleyball victory against Tougaloo.
     
The Gold Nuggets (23-6, 13-0), clinched a tie for the GCAC regular-season championship — their eighth in a row. They'll win the title outright with a victory against Tougaloo in the regular-season finale at 1 p.m. Sunday in Tougaloo, Miss. If Tougaloo wins, XULA and the Lady Bulldogs will share the championship.
     
The GCAC Tournament will be Nov. 9-10 at SUNO. Winner of that event will earn the GCAC's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship tournament, which will begin Nov. 17.
     
Kayla Black had nine kills and hit .353 for XULA. Elena Duru had eight kills and hit .462, Vivica Price-Spraggins had eight kills and hit .389, and Jaida Dowd had seven kills and hit .462.
     
The Gold Nuggets encountered drama only in the second set, where they rallied from 10-5 and 14-10 deficits. XULA opened the match with a 15-4 run and earned its fifth consecutive victory after scoring 11 of the final 12 points.

BOX SCORE
     
"We controlled the ball better at the end of the second set," XULA head coach Pat Kendrick said. "and made fewer unforced errors, which gave us an opportunity to come back."
     
Carolyne Edwards had five kills, eight digs and three blocks for the Lady Bulldogs (18-13, 12-1), who are 0-17 all-time against XULA.
     
Other XULA contributors were Angele McClain with five kills and two blocks, Taylor Ducros with 13 digs, and Marine Angely with three kills and seven digs. Eva Le Guillou had 23 assists, and Tiffany Phillipshad 14. Le Guillou and Beatrice Formilan served two aces apiece.
     
XULA outhit Tougaloo .315 to minus-.116 and had advantages of 42-13 in kills, 6-3 in aces and 42-33 in digs.
    
"We played fairly steady throughout the match," Kendrick said. "We're looking forward to playing them again on Sunday."

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Rush beat Carver; next is No. 10 William Carey

NEW ORLEANS — Rayshawn Mart scored a career-high 22 points Thursday to lead NAIA No. 23 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 79-62 men's basketball victory against Carver.
     
The Gold Rush (3-0) won for the 23rd consecutive time in a home opener. Attendance was 1,204, XULA's most for a home opener since the 2012 debut of the Convocation Center.
     
XULA will play host to NAIA No. 10 William Carey at 7 p.m. Monday.
     
Mart, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year last season, was 9-of-14 from the floor and tied a career high by making 3-of-4 3-pointers. He had five steals to match a career high, and he grabbed seven rebounds.
     
Ed Carter was 7-of-9 from the floor and scored a season-high 16 points for XULA, Ahmed 

Coulibalyscored 10, and William Loyd had eight points and nine rebounds. Coulibaly made a pair of 3-pointers and is 6-of-6 from long range in the last two games.
     
Coulibaly and Donovan Armstrong had three steals apiece.

BOX SCORE
     
Rayford Washington scored 14 points, Antonio Gardner 12 and Tyler Thornton 11 for the Cougars (0-2), a National Christian College Athletic Association member from Atlanta. Carver is 0-11 all-time against XULA.
     
Gardner grabbed eight rebounds, and Merdy Mongozi blocked six shots.
     
XULA led wire-to-wire, 40-20 at halftime and 48-22 when Coulibaly made a 3 with 18:11 remaining. Carver rallied to trail by nine points twice in the final six minutes, then the Gold Rush ended the game on a 12-4 run.
     
"We made 11 3's for the second straight game, which I liked," XULA head coach Alfred Williams said. "We won the rebounding war and forced (Carver) into 19 turnovers. Second half we lost some focus — we did that for the third straight game — but that will be corrected. Defensively when we lock in, we can be special."
     
XULA outshot Carver 45.1 to 41.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Cougars 39-31.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Announced

ATLANTA, Georgia  -- The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced its 10th Class today – the Class of 2019. Seven inductees were selected from a list of 25 Finalists who had been determi
ned earlier by the BCFHOF Selection Committee.

The Class of 2019 includes Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore), Hugh Douglas (Central State), Rich “Tombstone” Jackson (Southern), Frank Lewis (Grambling State), Timmy Newsome (Winston-Salem State), John Taylor (Delaware State) as player inductees, and Coach Arnett “Ace” Mumford (Jarvis Christian College, Bishop College, Texas College and Southern University).

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we congratulate the Class of 2019,” said BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee Doug Williams. “To be inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in its first 10 years is quite an honor. Just take a look at those historical names.”

Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the Inductees.

The Class of 2019 will be honored at the 10th Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on February 16, 2019. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Inductees will also be recognized at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on December 15th. For more information please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.

EMERSON BOOZER (Player)
Running Back … University of Maryland Eastern Shore (1962-1965) … Two-time First Team All-American … SWAC Hall of Fame … Selected by the New York Jets in 6th round of the 1966 AFL Draft … Also selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 7th round of the 1966 NFL Draft … Jets (1966-1975) … 10 seasons … Two-time AFL All-Star … All-AFL (1967) … Led league in rushing touchdowns (1967) … Won an AFL Championship (1968) and Super Bowl III … Member of the New York Jets Ring of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame … Born on July 4, 1943 in Augusta, Georgia.

HUGH DOUGLAS (Player)
Defensive End … Central State University (1992-1994) … A two-time NAIA Division I All-American … Made 42 sacks in 32 games in a three-year collegiate career … Led his team to an NAIA national championship in 1992 … Selected by the New York Jets with the 16th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft … NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1995) … Jets (1995-1997) … Philadelphia Eagles (1998-2002; 2004) … Jacksonville Jaguars (2003) … Three-time Pro Bowl Selection … Two-time First Team All-Pro … Born on August 23, 1971 in Mansfield, Ohio.

RICH “TOMBSTONE” JACKSON (Player)
Defensive End … Southern University (1962-1965) … Was a standout on both sides of the football and on the track team, where he won the NAIA Shot-Put competition in 1962 … Still holds the Louisiana collegiate record for Shot-Put (58’ 1”) … Undrafted free agent … Oakland Raiders (1966) … Denver Broncos (1967-1972) … Cleveland Browns (1972) … Seven seasons … Three-time Pro Bowl Selection … Three-time First Team All-Pro … Finished career as the Broncos all-time leader in sacks … Inaugural member of the Broncos Ring of Fame … Born July 22, 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

FRANK LEWIS (Player)Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver … Grambling State University (1967-1970) … Helped Grambling to the 1968 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title … In 1969, led Grambling in rushing and receiving yards … Scored 42 total touchdowns in college … Three-time All-SWAC at receiver … Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1st Round of the 1971 NFL Draft (8th overall pick) … Steelers (1971-1977) … Buffalo Bills (1978-1983) … 13 seasons … Pro Bowl selection (1981) … Two-time Super Bowl Champion … Born July 4, 1947 in Houma, Louisiana.

TIMMY NEWSOME (Player)
Running Back … Winston-Salem State University (1976-1979) … Led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in rushing and scoring three seasons … Three-time CIAA Offensive Player of the Year … Two-time Division II All-American … Under head coach Bill Hayes, Newsome led the Rams to undefeated seasons in 1978 and 1979 … Selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th Round of the 1980 NFL Draft … Cowboys (1980-1988) … CIAA Hall of Fame … Winston-Salem State University Athletic Hall of Fame … Born May 17, 1958 in Ahoskie, North Carolina.

JOHN TAYLOR (Player)
Wide Receiver … Delaware State University (1983-1985) … Scored 42 touchdowns at Delaware State, including 15 his senior season, both Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) records … Holds MEAC record for most career points (254) … MEAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1985 … Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 3rd Round of the 1986 NFL Draft … 49ers (1987-1995) … Two-time Pro Bowl Selection … Three-time Super Bowl Champion … NFL 1980s All-Decade Team … Delaware Sports Hall of Fame … Born March 31, 1962 in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.

ARNETT “ACE” MUMFORD (Coach)
Jarvis Christian College (1924-1926), Bishop College (1927-1929), Texas College (1931-1935), Southern University (1936-1961) … Led the Southern Jaguars football team to five black national championships … All-time winningest football coach at Southern … Won or shared 11 SWAC Championships at Southern … Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 … Also coached Southern to the 1941 black national championship in basketball … Retired with a record of 195-104-2 … Born November 26, 1898 … Died April 28, 1962.

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SIAC Cross Country Championships Race To Rock Hill

ROCK HILL, South Carolina – A champion will be crowed this Friday as thirteen Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) teams head to Rock Hill, S.C. for the 2018 SIAC Cross Country Championship race.

The men will run an 8K at 8:00 a.m. and the women will take the field for their 5K at 9:00 a.m.

In last year’s competition, Morehouse College claimed their 22nd men’s champions title in 24 years and finished with a team score of 42 points. Six of seven Morehouse runners finished in the top 20, including three student-athletes who placed in the top 10.

On the women’s side, Albany State clinched the women’s championship title as they had four runners in the top 10 which includes Channelle Wong, Aaliyah Howard, Lauryn Wilson and Shanya Washington.

After the completion of each race, the top 10 individuals will be named to the SIAC All-Conference team.

The SIAC Cross Country Championship will take place Friday, Nov. 2 at Winthrop University Coliseum on the campus of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.

The two championship teams (one men, one women) will represent the conference in the 2018 NCAA Fall Festival which is slated for Nov. 17 or Nov. 18.

For more information on the 2018 SIAC Cross Country Championship, click here.

SIAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Dr. Linda Person Appointed VSU Faculty Athletics Representative

ETTRICK, Virginia -- Dr. Linda Person department chair and Associate Professor of the Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance and Sport Management has been appointed faculty athletics representative.

Person replaces Dr. Corey Davis as the (FAR).

"Virginia State University and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association set high academic standards for student-athletes, and faculty oversight is one key to meeting and maintaining those standards," said Peggy Davis, Athletics Director.

The faculty athletics representative (FAR) plays an important role on college campuses, providing oversight of the academic integrity of the athletics program and serving as an advocate for student-athlete well-being.

Dr. Person earned her bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Virginia State University and master's degree in education and doctoral degree in pedagogy from Virginia Tech. She currently holds American Red Cross Instructor Trainer, Water Safety, Driver Education, First Aid and Lifeguard Tennis Specialist certifications. Linda was inducted in the VSU Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. In addition, she served as a member of the coaching staff for the past (23) years. She most recently served as the Head Women's Tennis Coach. She was named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tennis Coach of the Year seven times (2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017).

Under her leadership the Women's Tennis team were named Divisional Champions nine times (1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017). In 2008, the women's tennis program claimed the CIAA Championship Title and advanced to National Collegiate Athletic Association Regionals two consecutive years (2008, 2009).

"I am delighted to be appointed as a faculty athletics representative for Virginia State University. I'm looking forward to working with Peggy Davis and the athletic staff to assure the academic integrity of our athletics program and support the academic goals of our student-athletes," Person said.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

CIAA Invites Fans to Live the Legacy at the 2019 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament

Tickets on Sale Nov. 1 at Ticketmaster

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®), the nation’s first African-American athletic conference, will host the 2019 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, NC, February 25 – March 2, 2019. Ranked 3rd among the most attended and anticipated NCAA events, the CIAA Basketball Tournament currently draws over 150,000 fans.

The tournament will feature the conference’s 13-member institutions, including its newest member Claflin University. This year’s 24-game bracket will begin at Bojangles’ Coliseum on Monday evening, Feb. 25, to accommodate a new round of games and will conclude with the highly-anticipated championship semi-finals and finals at the Spectrum Center on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2.

Tickets for the 2019 tournament go on sale Thursday, Nov. 1 at Ticketmaster.com. All-Session 24-game packages start at $200 and include all men’s and women’s games beginning Monday, February 25 – Wednesday, February 27th at Bojangles’ Coliseum and at the Spectrum Center from Thursday, February 28 to Saturday, March 2nd. Single-session tickets will go on sale in early February. The CIAA Tournament will again offer both open seating options to get close to the action as well as reserved sections in center court, Founder’s Level and Courtside. Proceeds from all ticket sales support scholarships for students attending CIAA member schools.

As part of its 2019 “Live the Legacy” campaign, the CIAA is offering a variety of ticket packages to suit a variety of budgets. On sale Nov. 1-22, the 1912 Legacy Package includes 3 hotel nights for the price of 2 nights with an all-session pass. More packages will be announced throughout the season.

Single and multi-day 16, 18 and 22 seat suites are also available to sororities, fraternities, businesses, and for family and friend reunions at the Spectrum Center at approximately
$90 per person. To reserve a suite, contact the CIAA Office at (704) 910-2133. Additional ticket package sales and information can be found at www.ciaatournament.org.

For the best available lodging rates at more than 25 hotels in the Uptown Charlotte area, tournament attendees are encouraged to utilize Conference Direct, the CIAA’s hotel booking partner. Lodging options are within a short walk, Lynx rail stop, or quick car ride to Bojangles’ Coliseum, Spectrum Center, Charlotte Convention Center, and the EpiCentre where official CIAA events will be hosted. Hotel reservations can be made online at www.ciaatournament.org or via phone at 844-293-6678 on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In 2018, the CIAA Basketball Tournament brought over 150,000 fans to Charlotte during the week of competition with an economic impact of $50.5 million. Since 2000, the CIAA has generated more than $650 million in economic impact and an average of $500 million in the state of North Carolina.

Special “Live the Legacy” Ticket Packages, Single and Multi-Day Suites Available To Businesses, Fans and Families At CIAA Rates on First Come, First Served Basis

About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA)
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand, ‘Charlotte’s got a lot.' For more information, visit charlottesgotalot.com.

CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Morehouse Ranked No. 17 in NABC Preseason Poll

HEAD COACH GRADY BREWER
MOREHOUSE MEN'S BASKETBALL

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- A quintet of teams that have been a part of recent Elite Eights stand atop the NABC/Division II pre-season coaches poll for the 2018-19 season.

Bellarmine, who has made three Elite Eight appearances since winning the NCAA Division II title in 2011, picked up the bulk of the first place votes and heads the pre-season r  ankings. The Knights are followed by West Liberty, who reached five Elite Eights in a six-year span beginning in 2011 and Lincoln Memorial, who played in the 2016 national championship game in the first of back-to-back appearances.

The next two teams in the poll are West Texas A&M, who was a national semifinalist a year ago and Northwest Missouri State, won the 2017 national title.

After Northwest is Saint Anselm, followed by Queens (N.C.), who also reached last year’s national semifinal round and Indiana (Pa.), who played in the national title game in 2015. Cal Poly Pomona, who was the first national champion of the 2010s, is ranked ninth in the pre-season.

Southern Nazarene rounds out the top 10 following its best season as a member of NCAA Division II and the same can be said for West Florida, a 28-win team a year ago that was ranked one spot in back of fellow Gulf South Conference foe Valdosta State.

Defending national champion Ferris State appears in the poll at No. 13, while Western Washington is ranked 14th and another 2018 Elite Eight entry, East Stroudsburg, was picked 15th.

The pre-season top 20 is completed by Virginia State, Morehouse, St. Cloud State, Regis and Southwest Minnesota State; three of those teams either won a regular season or conference tournament title last year.

The final five teams in the poll are Dallas Baptist, Florida Southern, Findlay, UC San Diego and Missouri Southern.

Two pre-season events kick off the 2017-18 season this weekend, beginning with the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim, Calif., which starts Friday. The field includes No. 4 West Texas A&M and two others that received votes, Azusa Pacific and Drury.

The other event takes place in St. Joseph, Mo., with the Hall of Fame Classic, which includes the two teams that faced off in the national title game, Ferris State and Northern State, in a field that also has Queens (N.C) and Northwest Missouri State.

NABC/Division II Rankings (Oct. 30, 2018 – Pre-Season Poll)
		Record	Points	Last
1.	Bellarmine, Ky. (14)	29-3	398	4
2.	West Liberty, W.Va. (1)	26-4	364	12
3.	Lincoln Memorial, Tenn.	32-2	347	1
4.	West Texas A&M	32-4	332	11
5.	Northwest Missouri State (1)	27-4	277	5
6.	Saint Anselm. N.H.	22-9	272	NR
7.	Queens, N.C.	32-4	259	7
8.	Indiana, Pa.	22-8	231	NR
9.	Cal Poly Pomona	23-7	225	25
10.	Southern Nazarene, Okla.	27-3	207	8
11.	Valdosta State, Ga.	26-5	196	15
12.	West Florida	28-4	195	9
13.	Ferris State, Mich.	38-1	183	2
14.	Western Washington	21-8	182	NR
15.	East Stroudsburg, Pa.	27-6	162	NR
16.	Virginia State	25-5	148	17
17.	Morehouse, Ga.	25-3	138	10
18.	St. Cloud State. Minn.	24-9	113	NR
19.	Regis, Colo.	27-6	110	22
20.	Southwest Minnesota State	25-9	93	NR
21.	Dallas Baptist, Texas	26-6	92	16
22.	Florida Southern	21-11	81	NR
23.	Findlay, Ohio	28-5	75	13
24.	UC San Diego	21-11	63	NR
25.	Missouri Southern	20-10	58	NR
Others receiving votes: Clayton State (Ga.) 40, Fairmont State (W.Va.) 38, UNC Pembroke 35, Point Loma (Calif.) 34, Saint Martin’s (Wash.) 32, Northern State (S.D.) 27, Nova Southeastern (Fla.) 19, Barry (Fla.) 18, Minnesota State 18, Texas A&M-Commerce 17, Drury (Mo.) 13, Shaw (N.C.) 13, Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 12, Dominican (N.Y.) 12, Ashland (Ohio) 11, Lees-McRae (N.C.) 13, Tarleton State (Texas) 10, Claflin (S.C.) 9, Daemen (N.Y.) 8, Fort Lewis (Colo.) 4, Merrimack (Mass.) 4, Chico State (Calif.)  3, King (Tenn.) 3, Clark Atlanta (Ga.) 2, Stanislaus State (Calif.) 2, Colorado School of Mines 1, Dixie State (Utah) 1.   Records are final from 2017-18 season.  Last ranking was from the final 2017-18 poll.

SIAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

'Sprng Hill Rises in NCAA Volleyball Regional Rankings

ATLANTA, Georgia  – With less than a week remaining until championships, the Spring Hill Badgers have risen from No. 10 to No. 9 in the NCAA Volleyball Regional Rankings, released on Wednesday.
 
Since the Badgers’ debut in the poll, their schedule has slowed in preparations for their first SIAC Championship Tournament.
 
Last week, Spring Hill completed the season sweep of arch rival the University of Mobile on the road. The Badgers claimed the victory by scores of 25-14, 25-17, and 26-24. This win ran SHC's current winning streak to 22 games. As they are set to finish out the season facing Loyola University (La.) and conference opponent, Tuskegee, on Nov. 2.
 
After completing regular season, the Badgers will travel to Birmingham, Ala. to face the top four team in each division at a chance for their first SIAC Conference title.


For more information on the 2018 SIAC Volleyball Tournament, click here.
  
SOUTH                       
1          Tampa 19-1     25-2
2          Palm Beach Atlantic    20-3     25-3
3          Barry   20-3     24-3
4          Florida Southern         14-6     18-9
5          West Florida   15-4     21-7
6          Embry-Riddle (Florida)           14-8     17-9
7          Saint Leo         13-9     14-13
8          West Alabama 15-7     17-8
9          Spring Hill       22-2     22-3
10        Montevallo      19-7     20-7
 
Link to Regional Volleyball Rankings, here.

SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Week 9 MEAC Fan Choice (Play & Player)

The Mid - Eastern Athletic Conference is Proud to introduce Fan Pick Play & Player of the week!! For more information on voting please Visit MEACSports.com or Instagram/FaceBook: @Meacsports!!

NORFOLK, Virginia -- After fans cast over two thousand votes combined, the choices are in for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) Fans' Play and Players of the Week. Brycen Alleyne of Delaware State was the fans' choice for Week 9's top play, icing the Hornets' win over North Carolina Central, and the fans also showed love to Delaware State linebacker Brian Cavicanteand Savannah State running back Rashad Saxton.

Alleyne, a senior running back out of Wilmington, Del., clinched the Hornets' first win of the season on Saturday. Late in the fourth quarter, North Carolina Central had scored to make it a one-possession game. But Alleyne, in a play that received over 62 percent of the fan vote, took the handoff, swept to his right, found the edge, and sped 76 yards to paydirt.

The touchdown, with 4:42 left on the clock, gave the Hornets a 28-13 lead.

Saxton was the fan's choice for Offensive Player of the Week following his 17-carry, 118-yard performance this past Saturday in Savannah State's 32-3 win over Norfolk State. The sophomore from Jacksonville, Fla. also found the endzone, capping a 10-yard drive with a 1-yard run to put the Tigers on the board.

Cavicante was also key in Delaware State's win over North Carolina Central; the sophomore from Portsmouth, Va. had nine tackles to tie the team high, 2.5 of which came for a loss and half a sack. He was a constant presence in the backfield against the Eagles, and his tackles for loss totaled seven yards.

Fans will again have a chance to make their voices heard following this weekend's contests; be sure to visit www.MEACSports.com and the conference's official Twitter page (@MEACSports) on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning for the next batch of nominees.

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

HSSU Women's Basketball Downs Comets in Season Opener

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri  --  First game jitters were nowhere in sight as the Hornets took down the Comets of Cottey College 83-49.

Jay'La Davis (SR/St. Louis, MO) led all scorers with 17 points on 7-16 shooting. Sebit Gatluak (JR/Des Moines, IA) had a breakout first game for HSSU as she went 4-5 from behind the arc for 12 points while Takesia Barnes (SO/Memphis, TN) (9), Kambri Davison (SO/Tulsa, OK) (8), Kierra Weir (SO/Springfield, IL) (8), Jordan May (SO/St. Louis, MO) (6), Daijahnay Winston (FR/Chicago, IL) (6), Tarsheia Page (SO/Chicago, IL) (6), Marcia Hawkins (JR/Las Vegas, NV) (6), and Surina Finnie (FR/Memphis, TN) (5) all scored.

Kelsey Acton led the Comets offensive efforts with 16 points while Kasey Acton was right behind her with eight points.

Harris-Stowe jumped out to a commanding 10-0 lead just four minutes into the game. Davis would get a fast break lay-up at the last second to extend their lead to 22-5 after 10 minutes of play.

The Hornets kept their lead throughout the second quarter, hitting the 20 point lead mark when Barnes drained a three-pointer just 15 seconds into the new quarter. HSSU would find themselves with a 54-34 lead going into the half.

HSSU had complete control for the rest of the game; getting up by as much as 36 points after Davison drained her lone three-pointer of the game late in the fourth quarter. The Comet's Kelsey Acton would add in two free throws with 21 seconds left in the game to make the final 83-49.

Harris-Stowe will play against Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK on Tuesday, November 6 as an exhibition game before hosting Graceland University on Nov. 10.

BOX SCORE

Make sure to stay up to date on news and scores on the women's basketball team at hornetsathletics.com.

Fans be sure to stay connected on all Hornet Athletics on all our social media pages: Twitter (@HSSU_athletics), Instagram (@hssuathletics), and Facebook (/HSSUathletics).

HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Harris-Stowe Starts Season With Win Over #25 Lindsey Wilson

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri -- The Harris-Stowe Hornets showed great strength as they defeated No. 25 Lindsey Wilson College 77-74.

Deandre Clark (SR/Orange, VA) led all scorers with 18 points while Christian Wimbley (SR/St. Louis, MO) and Nate Rigmaiden (SR/St. Louis, MO) chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively. Duane Clark (JR/Saint Louis, MO) had a breakout first game for HSSU as he contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.

Kel Stotts led the Blue Raider's with 16 points while Shakaris Laney chipped in 14 points.

Harris-Stowe came out hot, scoring on four of their first five possessions to take a quick 10-3 lead.

The Hornets extend their lead to 10 points when Rigmaiden scored on a fast break lay-up just five minutes into the game. Just a minute later, Wimbley would complete a three-point play to give HSSU a 22-7 lead.

BOX SCORE

Lindsey Wilson made their run late in the first half and ended up tying the game at 40 a piece going into the half.

The Hornets and Blue Raiders traded baskets in the second half that sent the game down to the wire.

Wimbley grabbed an offensive rebounds with 13 seconds left in the game and was sent to the free throw line. He drained both shots to put HSSU up 75-74. On the defensive end, Deandre Clark grabbed the missed shot and secured the win with two more made free throws.

Harris-Stowe will host Wilberforce University on Tuesday, November 6 before heading to Langston University to face off against Paul Quinn College and Texas College.

Make sure to stay up to date on news and scores on the men's basketball team at hornetsathletics.com.

Fans be sure to stay connected on all Hornet Athletics on all our social media pages: Twitter (@HSSU_athletics), Instagram (@hssuathletics), and Facebook (/HSSUathletics).

HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS