Oct. 26, 2007

Final Stats

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman looked towards senior leadership on Friday night as they fought past Winston-Salem State University, 3-1 at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla. B-CU used line scores of 30-21, 30-28, 28-30 and 30-22 for the victory in a non-conference match-up of future MEAC foes.

On Senior Appreciation Night for B-CU, it was the play of two seniors, in particular, that helped the Wildcats (7-11) to the victory. Marlene Holmes and Keisha Vicks each collected double-digit kills in the match--including a career-high performance for Holmes.

Playing without the services of sophomore middle blocker Chelle Ticeson who rolled her ankle in the first game of tonight's match, the Wildcats looked elsewhere for kills and blocks. They needed to look no further than Holmes.

B-CU took the first game 30-21, and looked as if they were ready for a quick night of work against the visiting Rams of WSSU (4-21)--playing in just their second year on the Division I level of athletics. That, however, would not be the case in Daytona Beach.

WSSU's Annika Barnwell kept the Rams close all night with a match-high 21 kills, while teammates Valentina Pushkina and Lore McBroom split time setting her up at the setter position.

The Wildcats, in fact, led 20-8 in the second game before WSSU made a furious 18-8 rally to tie the game at 28-28. Several Wildcats attack errors and three Barnwell service aces helped the charge for the Scarlet and White clad Rams.

B-CU eventually closed out the game with a kill from outside hitter Reina Carson and a service ace from setter Kumiko Chow for the 30-28 victory.

In the third game, the `Cats of Bethune-Cookman registered a match-high 12 errors on attacks and committed four (4) service errors to help WSSU avoid the sweep and collect the 30-28 win to continue the match.

At that point, it was all about seniors Keisha Vicks and Marlene Holmes as they went on a tear to close out the match. Also helping out in the final game was junior Danielle Goodrum with three of her nine kills on the night for the Wildcats.

WSSU was led on the night by Barnwell with 21 kills, as Ashley Harris was the next closest player with eight kills. Erica Cole added 12 digs from her libero position for the Rams.

B-CU was led by Vicks' 11 kills, as well as a career-high 14 kills from Holmes. Freshman Julie Gibson added 36 assists and teammate Chow added nine assists and three (3) service aces. The defense was anchored by senior libero Jessica Belton with 12 digs, as well as Shakhea Moore-Hagins with 10 digs of her own.

B-CU's Talisha Black had a match-high tying five blocks (assisted), while the Rams were sparked by the blocking power of Brandie Beane and Georgette Allen who each posted five blocks, respectively.

With the win tonight, B-CU also said "good-bye" to seniors Jessica Belton, Marlene Holmes and Keisha Vicks who all played their last home games for the Maroon and Gold inside the friendly confines of Moore Gymnasium. All this with a raucous crowd of 286 on hand to show their support for the `Cats, and the play of those three seniors and what they have meant to their team throughout the years.

The next chance to catch Bethune-Cookman in action will be on Tuesday, Oct. 30 when they travel just down the road to DeLand to take on the Stetson Hatters. Match time is slated for a 7 p.m. start.