Bossier City, La. — Dillard University’s volleyball team, led by Cadence Thomas and Gabrielle Washington’s strong front-row defense and double-double performances from Vanae Sapp and Tyramae Fautanu, swept Talladega College (25-18, 25-23, 25-19) to capture the 2024 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Championship at Billy Montgomery Gymnasium.
Thomas registered two solo blocks and four assists, while Washington contributed four block assists. The Bleu Devils thwarted 11 attacks from Talladega, holding the Tornadoes to a .032 hitting percentage, their lowest of the season.
Sapp recorded her third tournament double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs, earning the 2024 HBCUAC Championship Most Valuable Player honors. Fautanu added 15 assists and 10 digs. Thomas and Washington followed with eight and seven kills, respectively. Trenity Pender contributed 13 digs and four assists to earn All-Tournament honors, while Sara Da Silva was also named All-Tournament with seven kills in the title match.
Dillard (20-8) pulled ahead in the opening set with a four-point run, aided by three Talladega attack errors. A kill by Thomas initiated a seven-point surge that extended the lead, while Washington and Nya St. Cyr contributed two blocks and key kills for an 18-8 advantage. Sapp clinched the set with a decisive kill.
The Bleu Devils carried their momentum into the second set, establishing a 7-3 lead behind two Sapp kills and a block in tandem with Washington. Talladega countered with a five-point run, highlighted by blocks from Marcelly Perez and Zariah Messick and two aces from Giovana Costarelli, giving the Tornadoes an 18-17 lead. Following a Dillard timeout by head coach Angela Franke, the Bleu Devils reclaimed control with kills by Da Silva, Thomas, and Makaela Swoopes, eventually securing a two-set advantage.
The third set featured a back-and-forth battle. Re’na Ashley’s three kills and a block with Perez helped Talladega take a five-point lead, which they maintained until a crucial attack error and Sarai Rogers’ kill put Dillard ahead 15-14. Talladega momentarily regained the lead with a kill by Franchesca Rivas and a block from Kortni Johnson and Josephine Gates. However, Washington and Da Silva responded with kills, and Dillard capitalized on Talladega’s errors to close out the match. Thomas delivered a solo block, an assist, and a kill, while Sapp sealed the victory with her 11th kill.
Ashley led Talladega with eight kills, followed by Messick with seven kills and two block assists. Johnson added six kills and two block assists. Costarelli topped the team with 17 assists and three aces, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Nuria Santos recorded 11 assists and six digs, while Briyith Echeverri posted a match-high 22 digs. Taquoia Rounds contributed 12 digs and was named All-Tournament.
Both Dillard (20-8) and Talladega (25-9) will advance to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Volleyball Championship Opening Round, scheduled for Nov. 23 at campus sites. Their opponents and match locations will be announced during Monday’s selection show at noon on the Urban Edge Network.
