SALISBURY, N.C. – Livingstone College volleyball tops rival Johnson C. Smith University in a CIAA Southern Division showdown. The Lady Blue Bears defeated the Lady Golden Bulls 3-0, on Thursday evening in Brayboy Gym.

In set one, JCSU led early, but the Blue Bears battled back, taking a four point lead at 19-15 of their own. However, the Lady Golden Bulls made a run, but Livingstone rallied to take the 25-22 win.

Livingstone came out in the second set with a 9-1 lead and cruised to the 25-8 win to take a 2-0 match lead.

In the third set, the Blue Bears jumped out to a 16-8 lead after Shantell Billups scored on four aces.  The Lady Golden Bulls were able to close the gap to within five (20-15), but the Lady Blue Bears finished the match, winning 25-19.

Livingstone's Lareecia Swiney led the team with 17 kills on the night, while teammate Steveen Cotton had 30 assists. Defensively, Billups had seven digs and had six aces for the Lady Blue Bears.

Johnson C. Smith, was led by Anteesha Smoots with 10 kills in the losing effort, while Khadijah Segura added 12 assists.  Defensively, Adams led the way with eight digs.

JCSU falls to 3-11 overall, 1-5 in CIAA play and 0-3 in Southern Division play.  Livingstone improves to 4-8 overall, 1-5 in CIAA play and 1-2 in the Southern Division.

Livingstone will host Saint Augustine's University on Monday for "Dig for the Cure" night. The Lady Blue Bears will be wearing pink for breast cancer awareness and fans are urged to wear pink, also. First serve is Monday, October, 12 at 6 p.m.