Norah Laurore and Naraiya Thompson delivered career-best performances as Edward Waters University Women’s Volleyball defeated Clark Atlanta University 3-2 on Sept. 25 at L.S. Epps Gymnasium in Atlanta, Georgia. Edward Waters University won 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 15-7 for its third consecutive SIAC victory.
The result moved Edward Waters University to 4-6 overall and 3-3 in SIAC play. Clark Atlanta University entered the match 10-2 overall and suffered its third loss of the season. Edward Waters University won the second, third and fifth sets after Clark Atlanta University took the first and fourth.
Laurore and Thompson Lead Edward Waters University
Laurore recorded a career-high 20 kills on 40 attacks while hitting .250. The senior right side added four block assists and finished with 22 points.
Thompson posted a career-best 50 assists while helping Edward Waters University produce 58 kills. The freshman setter also had six service aces, six digs, two kills and two block assists, while her six aces were a match high.
Edward Waters University finished with 15 service aces and one solo block along with 14 block assists. Clark Atlanta University recorded seven service aces.
Edward Waters University Wins the Deciding Set
Clark Atlanta University opened the match with a 25-20 first-set win. Edward Waters University answered in a second set that included 14 ties and six lead changes before claiming a 25-23 victory.
Edward Waters University took the third set 25-21 after recording 13 kills and holding Clark Atlanta University to a .061 hitting percentage. Clark Atlanta University then forced a fifth set with a 25-23 fourth-set win.
Edward Waters University controlled the deciding set, holding Clark Atlanta University to three kills and six errors on 20 attacks. Edward Waters University recorded six kills and two errors in the fifth set before closing out the match 15-7.
Balanced Production Supports the Victory
Heylianis Aquino added 13 kills, 10 digs and five service aces for 18 points. Zakiyyah Abdul contributed 11 kills on 16 attacks, hit .500 and added two service aces, one solo block and five block assists for 16.5 points.
Ayanna Blocker led Edward Waters University with 13 digs, while Brooklyn Jones and Aquino each recorded 10 digs. The match featured 29 ties and 16 lead changes.
Edward Waters University is scheduled to return to action Sept. 29 at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. The nonconference match will be the team’s next contest after its three-match SIAC winning streak.
FSB Take
Edward Waters University overcame two set losses to secure a five-set road victory against a Clark Atlanta University team that entered with a 10-2 record. Laurore’s 20 kills and Thompson’s 50 assists powered the offense, while the fifth-set defensive effort completed the SIAC win. The result gives Edward Waters University a 3-3 conference record heading into the Flagler College match.
Source: Original report