SUNO Volleyball Gearing Up for 2024 HBCUAC Volleyball Championship

SUNO Volleyball Gearing Up for 2024 HBCUAC Volleyball Championship
November 10, 2024
The SUNO Knights Women's Volleyball team wrapped up their 2024 season with an overall record of 4-18, going 4-10 in HBCUAC play. Despite facing challenges, the Knights showed resilience, particularly in divisional play, where they defeated Wiley College twice. The team added wins over Wilberforce and Rust at the HBCUAC Crossover, securing an eighth-place finish in the conference standings and earning a spot in the 2024 HBCUAC Volleyball Championship Tournament—a new milestone as only the top eight teams are now eligible for the tournament under updated conference rules. For Head Coach Zipporah Washington, securing this spot marks a significant accomplishment in her mission to revitalize the SUNO Volleyball program.
The Knights will take on defending champion and 2024 Regular Season Champion Talladega College on Monday, November 11 at 3 p.m. in the opening quarterfinal round of the 2024 HBCUAC Volleyball Championship. The championship, hosted by Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, will be held at Bossier Parish Community College. The championship kicks off Sunday, November 10 with the 2024 Regular Season Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m., where SUNO's Armoni Harris and Alaina Obianozie will be honored as All-HBCUAC Team selections. The awards ceremony and all matches will be broadcast live on HBCUACTV via HBCU+. Fans can download the Android or Apple apps, or watch HBCUACTV online.

 

STANDOUT PLAYERS

Armoni Harris — All-HBCUAC First Team Selection
 A powerhouse on the defensive end, Armoni Harris has earned All-HBCUAC First Team honors. She leads the conference in digs per set and ranks fifth in total digs with 319. In conference games alone, Harris commands the leaderboard with 234 total digs and 5.2 digs per set. She has shown remarkable control on the court, committing just 27 errors in 485 receptions, which places her fourth-best in the HBCUAC. Known as a "court general," Harris orchestrates plays, guiding her teammates and ensuring consistent passes to the setters.

Alaina Obianozie — All-HBCUAC Honorable Mention
 The team's "silent weapon," Alaina Obianozie has been instrumental in rallying the Knights with her standout jumping ability and hitting accuracy. She leads the team in hitting percentage, and her .285 hitting percentage against conference opponents ranks 11th in the HBCUAC. She's also made her mark defensively, ranking 13th in total blocks with 23 against HBCUAC teams. Obianozie's efficiency has been a critical factor in the Knights' game strategy.

Taszia Adkinson
 A consistent offensive force, Taszia Adkinson finished the season leading the Knights in total kills with 133, placing her 13th in the HBCUAC for kills per set at 2.06. Her improvement over the season has been evident in her precision and her ability to stretch for difficult passes, giving the Knights an edge during critical points in matches.

Reagan McDowell
 Second on the team with 120 kills, Reagan McDowell has proven herself indispensable as an outside hitter. Her offensive prowess is complemented by her blocking skills and serving accuracy, which have been vital to establishing the team's momentum and setting up plays.

A'Lon Clark 
 A key leader on the court, A'Lon Clark is a skilled setter with a keen sense of the game. Known as the "commander in chief" of the team, Clark has maintained a spot in the HBCUAC top-10 for assists all season, leading the Knights with 257 assists in their 6-2 rotation. Her highly accurate jump serve has earned her 22 service aces in conference play, ranking her eighth in the HBCUAC. Clark's volleyball IQ and ability to anticipate opponents' moves make her a central figure in SUNO's game plan.

 

TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS
 The Knights concluded their season with 576 total kills, 418 of which came in conference play, averaging nearly 9 kills per set. Setters A'Lon Clark and Trinity Bloodworth (184 assists) provided stability on offense, delivering consistent setups that facilitated SUNO's attacking strategies.

Highlighting the season were Armoni Harris and Alaina Obianozie being selected to the All-HBCUAC Teams. Harris made First Team and Obianozie was named Honorable Mention.


COACH ZIPPORAH WASHINGTON'S PERSPECTIVE
 Reflecting on the season, Coach Zipporah Washington expressed her pride in the team's growth and resilience: "We're still rebuilding this program, but I'm incredibly excited for the future of SUNO Volleyball. This season, we made great strides in the right direction. Building Rome didn't happen overnight, and it's going to take continued hard work and discipline to restore this program to where we know it can be. The foundation is here, and I'm looking forward to what we can achieve together."

The SUNO Knights are positioned to build on this season's experiences and aim higher in the future, with the steadfast leadership of Coach Washington and the determined spirit of their standout players.

 

-SUNOKNIGHTLIFE-

 

 

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