Box Score
SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone volleyball team scored a hard-fought 3-1 victory Tuesday over the Shaw Bears in a crucial conference contest.
Livingstone improved to 13-12 overall, 7-7 in the conference and 4-4 in the division, all but assuring the Blue Bears of a spot in the conference tournament.
Livingstone controlled the first set from beginning to end. The Blue Bears got out to an early 5-2 lead, but Shaw battled back to get within 6-5, but Livingstone held strong, going on a 10-3 run to open up a 16-8 advantage over Shaw. Livingstone continued to lead at 19-13, forcing a Shaw timeout, but the break wasn't able to stop the Blue Bear attack as Livingstone finished off the first set 25-16.
Shaw came out very strong in the second set, jumping out to an early 7-3 lead, but the Blue Bears battled back to tie the second game at 7-7, which forced a Shaw timeout. This time, the break helped Shaw as the Bears took the next five points to go up 12-7. Livingstone slowly cut into the Shaw lead and worked the game back into a tie at 15-15. Shaw continued to put a lead back up and the Blue Bears responded as the Bears led 20-17, but Livingstone came back to take a 22-21 lead. The Blue Bears had set point at 24-22 and 24-23, but couldn't put the final point away. Shaw took four-straight points to win the second set 26-24.
The third set was a hard-fought battle between the two teams. Shaw and Livingstone were even through the first 18 points at 9-9, before the Blue Bears went on a 9-1 run to open up an 18-10 advantage. Livingstone looked primed to roll through the remainder of the set, but Shaw battled back to get within five at 21-16. Despite the empowered play by Shaw, the Blue Bears were able to hang strong to finish off the third set 25-20.
Livingstone had to battle hard in the fourth set to take home the victory Tuesday. The Blue Bears held a slim, 11-9 lead through the first 20 points. The Blue Bears slowly increased their lead to 19-13 and were able to finish the set strong to win 25-16.
The Blue Bears were led Tuesday by Lakitta Hicks and Phylicia Egbuna who finished with 18 and 17 kills respectively. Egbuna recorded a double-double as she also added 11 digs and three service aces. Natalia Felix had 21 assists while Ariel Moton led the team with 15 digs.
Livingstone will be back on the court on Monday, October 28 at 6 p.m. at home against the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University.
