MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Edward Waters University Women's Volleyball team wrapped up a challenging three-match slate at the SIAC West Crossover, Oct. 10–11, at the Memphis Sports and Events Center with a 1–2 record. After tough losses to Tuskegee and Miles, the Lady Tigers rallied to defeat Kentucky State in the tournament finale.
In their first match, EWU fell to Tuskegee 0–3. Despite the sweep, several Lady Tigers delivered strong individual performances.
Naomy Vergez led the charge with 12 kills, adding 8 digs and two aces. Alexis Simpson put up 7 kills, recorded 7 digs, and also contributed 1 block. Dimaliz Figueroa led the Lady Tigers 11 digs, while setters Autumn James tallied 18 assists, six digs and two aces and Norah Laurore finished with 10 assists, two digs and two aces.
The team as a whole logged 33 kills, 7 aces, and 40 digs, showing grit in defense. Unfortunately, Tuskegee edged EWU out in efficiency and serving, finishing with 37 kills, 10 aces, and 6 blocks.
In their second contest, the Tigers faced Miles College and were unable to secure a win as they fell 3-1.
Norah Laurore nearly recorded her second career triple double as she compiled 14 digs, ten assists, nine kills and two blocks. Senior Naomy Vergez also turned in a great performance finishing with 23 kills, nine digs and a team-high three aces. Libero Dimaliz Figueroa once again led the Lady Tigers with 15 digs.
Nevertheless, the effort in back-to-back matches tested depth, stamina, and mental toughness.
The final match brought redemption as EWU emerged victorious over Kentucky State, closing the crossover with a highlight win. The box score posted on EWU's site confirms the 3–1 result, pushing the Tigers' winning streak over Kentucky State to five straight meetings.
Naomy Vergez once again played amazingly for Edward Waters as she notched a double-double with 14 kills and 14 digs while adding five aces. Norah Laurore led EWU with 18 assists while adding eight kills and seven digs. Autumn James finished with 18 assists and nine digs while Brooklyn Jones compiled 11 kills and five digs.
The Lady Tigers will return to action with a home meeting against Clark Atlanta on Thursday, October 16 at 6:00 pm inside the Adams-Jenkins Complex.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit www.thesiac.com.