Lady Blue Bears Battle Fall in CIAA Quarterfinals to Virginia State
Bowie, MD- The Livingstone College volleyball team saw its 2025 season come to a close Friday morning at Bowie State University, falling to Virginia State in three straight sets (18–25, 21–25, 13–25) in the CIAA Championship quarterfinals.
The Lady Blue Bears fought hard in every frame, pushing the Trojans to the brink with aggressive swings and strong defensive stands. However, Virginia State's balanced attack and clutch execution in the final points proved decisive.
Senior outside hitter Love Riley led Livingstone with double-digit kills, while freshman setter Justyce McKennie kept the offense flowing with timely assists. Defensively, libero MacKenzie Morgan anchored the back row with key digs to keep rallies alive. Despite the loss, the Blue Bears showed resilience and heart on the biggest stage of the season.
Match Stats
Virginia State:
Kills: Gracie Darville (15), Amaya Cooper (7), Kyra Marciniak (6)
Aces: Gracie Darville (2), Celene Mclean (2), Kyra Marciniak (2)
Blocks: De'Mya Robinson (4), Amaya Cooper (3), Celene Mclean (1)
Assists: Peyton Reese (18), Leila Jackson (10), Gracie Darville (2)
Digs: Kellee Craig (16), Peyton Reese (10), Gracie Darville (10)
Team Hitting: .243 (39 kills / 14 errors / 103 attempts)
Livingstone:
Kills: Love Riley (11), Penelope Johnson (6), Mya Dalpiaz (5)
Aces: Justyce McKennie (2), Mya Dalpiaz (1), Love Riley (1)
Blocks: Jessica Lawson (2), Penelope Johnson (2), Love Riley (1)
Assists: Justyce McKennie (20), Masa Simovic (4), Kyra Woods (3)
Digs: MacKenzie Morgan (11), Justyce McKennie (6), Mya Dalpiaz (5)
Team Hitting: .078 (28 kills / 19 errors / 115 attempts)
Season Recap
The 2025 campaign was a year of growth and grit for Livingstone volleyball:
- Final Record: 11–15 overall, 6–10 in CIAA play, earning the No. 4 seed in the Southern Division.
- Key Wins: The Blue Bears picked up big victories over Shaw (3–2), Claflin (3–0), and Johnson C. Smith (twice), while also sweeping Lincoln (PA) at the CIAA Round-Up.
- Standout Performers:
- Love Riley capped her career as an All-CIAA First Team selection, leading the team with 274 kills and 313 points.
- Justyce McKennie earned a spot on the All-CIAA Rookie Team, contributing 399 assists and 24 service aces.
Though the season ended in Bowie, the Lady Blue Bears leave with pride and promise. With young talent emerging and veteran leadership setting the tone, Livingstone is poised to return stronger in 2026.
