Volleyball Falls to Johnson & Wales in Five Sets

SALISBURY, N.C. – The Livingstone College volleyball team fell to Johnson & Wales University three games to two in their 2016 season opener on Tuesday night in New Trent Gym.

Johnson & Wales opened the match with a commanding 25-18 win in the first set. After building a 10-2 lead, the Wildcats never allowed the Blue Bears within seven points.

Livingstone responded with a commanding victory of its own, taking the second set, 25-19. In the third set, the teams traded points in the early goings, being locked in seven ties. But Johnson & Wales used a 4-0 run to pull ahead, 16-12, and then closed out the set by winning the last 10 points.

The fourth set was the closest of the match. The Blue Bears managed a win to force the decisive fifth set.

In the fifth set, JWU built an early 8-4 advantage that Livingstone was not able to overcome en route to its 15-10 victory.

Jekisha Rhymes led LC with 15 kills, five digs and two blocks. Ajia Long recorded seven kills and one dig. Defensively Rukiya Garland posted 22 digs while Stevee Cotton dished out 25 assists with 14 digs.

Lucy Herrman led JWU with 13 kills, eight digs and one block. Tonya Scott finished with 11 kills and two digs.

The Blue Bears, now 0-1, return to action this weekend when they face Allen University on Friday.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#10 Stevee Cotton: S; 5' 5"; Junior; FR.

#1 Rukiya Garland: DS; 5' 6"; Senior; SO.

#4 Jekisha Rhymes: MH/OH; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#5 Ajia Long: MH; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Stevee Cotton
: 5' 5"; Junior; FR.
: S

#1 Rukiya Garland
: 5' 6"; Senior; SO.
: DS

#4 Jekisha Rhymes
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: MH/OH

#5 Ajia Long
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: MH