Volleyball Opens Season at SWAC/MEAC Challenge

Women's Volleyball 8/24/2018 9:21:00 AM aamusportsinfo

Volleyball Opens Season at SWAC/MEAC Challenge

CARTERSVILLE, Ga.---- The Alabama A&M women's volleyball team opens up the 2018 season this weekend at the SWAC/MEAC challenge with its first match on Friday morning at 11 a.m., against North Carolina A&T State University. The day will conclude with a 4 p.m. match against North Carolina Central.

The tournament continues on Saturday as the Lady Bulldogs will play their first match at 1 p.m., against South Carolina State and the final match of the tournament at 6 p.m., facing Gardner-Webb.

SETTING THE STAGE
Tournament: SWAC/MEAC Challenge
Facility: LakePoint Champions Center (Cartersville, Ga.)
Live Stats: Click Here

SCOUTING THE LADY BULLDOGS
Fifth-year head coach Rose Powell returns a vast majority of the Maroon and White attack from last season, highlighted by the expected return of three of their top five attackers, including junior outside hitter Terra Brooks.

Brooks posted 251 digs and led the team with 290 putdowns last season. She should emerge as a potential Player of the Year candidate while serving as the Lady Bulldogs' primary offensive catalyst.

Flanking Brooks will be fellow hitters Jaelin Gant and Mikel Coleman. Coleman posted 184 kills and 81 digs last season, and Gant chipped in with 168 kills, 98 digs and 52 total blocks. On paper, the trio should be one of the more formidable attack corps in the conference.

2017 SWAC Freshman of the Year Meredith Sieck is set to direct the offense again and stands one of the leading candidates for Setter of the Year after ranking tops in the SWAC for total assists (914) while adding in 238 digs and 32 service aces.

Along with returner Josie Daffin, AAMU has high expectations for newcomers Valencia Wilson, Maya Evans, Alana Cox and Ashley Jackson as the quintet is tasked with solidifying what was arguably the strength of 2017's Lady Bulldogs.

Rebecca Pierce and Maci Battle are expected to figure in as liberos for the Lady Bulldogs

Alabama A&M's non-conference schedule is highlighted with matches at Memphis (Aug. 29), Austin Peay (Sept. 11), Georgetown (Sept. 14), George Washington (Sept. 15) and Southern Miss (Nov. 5). The Lady Bulldogs will be road warriors early on, as their first home game of the season isn't until Oct. 8.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Mikel Coleman: OH/RS; 5' 10"; Junior

#5 Maci Battle: RS/DS; 5' 5"; Freshman

#6 Jaelin Gant: OH; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

#7 Valencia Wilson: MH; 5' 11"; Freshman

#8 Alana Cox: OH/MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#9 Maya Evans: MH; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#10 Ashley Jackson: MH; 6' 0"; Freshman

#11 Rebecca Pierce: DS/L; 5' 5"; Senior

#14 Josie Daffin: MB; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#17 Terra Brooks: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Mikel Coleman
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH/RS

#5 Maci Battle
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: RS/DS

#6 Jaelin Gant
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior
: OH

#7 Valencia Wilson
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MH

#8 Alana Cox
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: OH/MB

#9 Maya Evans
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MH

#10 Ashley Jackson
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MH

#11 Rebecca Pierce
: 5' 5"; Senior
: DS/L

#14 Josie Daffin
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: MB

#17 Terra Brooks
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH