With a new face at the helm, the volleyball team has scored some impressive victories and is confident that they are an improving team.
Serita Wilson was named the new volleyball coach at the beginning of the 2016 season. Coach Williams is a graduate of Saint Augustine’s University and has a long and deep history with the SAU volleyball team.
She was an assistant coach in seven seasons between 2003 and 2011, giving her valuable experience for eventually taking over the head coach position. Ms. Wilson also helped the Lady Falcons to three consecutive CIAA crowns from 2000 to 2002 as a student athlete then. Before graduating in 2003, Ms. Wilson was honored as the Most Valuable Player and All-CIAA Player.
Athletic Director Coach George Williams expressed strong confidence in Ms. Wilson and her coaching staff when he appointed her. “I am pleased that we filled the positions with quality coaches. …I am confident in their abilities to coach and develop our student-athletes,” Williams said.
The Lady Falcons’ volleyball team currently has record of 3-3 in the Southern Division and 8-10 overall. In their last game, on Oct. 17 against Johnson C. Smith University, SAU won 3-0. Shakera Hall (So./Bridgetown, Barbados) registered 22 kills and 12 digs to lead the Lady Falcons.
Akera McPhaul (Jr./Greensboro, NC) added eight kills and Meghan Mahon (Sr./Houston, TX) dished out 39 assists for SAU, who won 30-28, 25-21, 25-15. Olivia Porter (Sr./Bakersfield, CA), returning from an ankle injury after missing eight matches, posted six digs.
The Lady Falcons swept the season series against the Golden Bulls. In the first meeting on Sept. 22, the Lady Falcons won in four sets at Emery Gymnasium in Raleigh, N.C.
The Lady Falcons return to the court Tuesday, Oct. 25 against Winston-Salem State University. Match time is 6 p.m. at Emery Gymnasium.
On September 5th, 2016 St. Aug Lady Falcons volley ball team traveled to Virginia State University for a volley ball tournament in Richmond, Virginia, The Office of Communications recorded the final score was 25-17, 17-25, 18-25, 25-23, 20-18. Senior, Porter, a senior, is excited about the team’s prospects.
“I’m really excited for this volleyball season,” Porter said. “We have been putting in a lot of hard work since we came back to school. This year we are more than just a team, we have a sisterhood.”
Meghan Mahon, a senior from Houston, TX, is also enthisastic. “This season I am very excited to show our school and the CIAA all the hard work and dedication I’ve personally seen for the past four weeks during preseason,” Mahon stated. “This season our team is working together better, training harder and playing smarter. Last season we didn’t make it to CI’s, but this year we plan on making a comeback and having fun while doing so. We just really need all the support we can get.”
They are gaining fans, such as senior exercise science major Stephon Gumbs. “I look forward to attending the volleyball games because not only does it give me something more to do on campus; it’s really interesting and exciting to see the players compete so intensely,” Gumbs said.
The Lady Falcons play next on Oct. 25 against Winston-Salem State University at home.
— Amber Hagin
