Box Score

HAMPTON, VA – The Livingstone Blue Bear volleyball team won their fourth straight match Friday afternoon, defeating the Virginia Union Panthers in their first match of the CIAA Round-Up.

With the victory the Blue Bears improved to 4-0 on the season while Virginia Union fell to 1-5.

The Blue Bears defeated the Panthers 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-16) behind 12 kills from junior offensive specialist Lashaundra Ferguson.  Sophomore middle hitter Michelle Thompson also tallied nine kills and four solo blocks.

In the first game the Panthers came out strong and held an eight-point lead at 15-7, but the Blue Bears battled back.  Livingstone fought back to get within two at 17-15 and then rattled off eight straight points to go up 23-18.  Virginia Union was able to get four straight points to get within 23-22, but the Blue Bears finished off the Panthers to take game one 25-22.

The second game was a battle between the two teams.  Neither team was able to amass more than a three-point advantage in the game.  Late in the game Livingstone led 18-15, but Virginia Union fought back to square the game at 18 and then take a 19-18 lead.  The Panthers continued to lead at 23-20 and looked poised to take second game, but Livingstone took five-straight points behind the serving of freshman setter Alicia Dixon to take the second game 25-23.

After an early lead for Virginia Union in the third game, the Blue Bears took control of the game and made easy work of the Panthers as they took the third game 25-16 and took the match 3-0.

For the match the Blue Bears totaled 29 kills, a .234 hitting percentage, 23 assists, 10 service aces, 27 digs and nine team blocks.  Virginia Union had 34 kills, a .138 hitting percentage, 22 assists and 19 digs.

The Blue Bears will play three matches tomorrow in day two of the CIAA Round-Up.  At 9 a.m. Livingstone will face Virginia State, Bowie State at 1 p.m. and Lincoln at 5 p.m.