ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State University Trojans are coming off a magnificent weekend after finishing with a 3-1 record in the UC Invitational. The squad defeated Belmont Abbey College and Bloomsburg University 3-2 on the first day and swept Salem 3-0 in the first game of the second day. Their only loss came against the University of Charleston 1-3. The Trojans are now set to face a division rival in Bowie State University on Thursday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the VSU Multipurpose center.


Game Coverage 
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Live Stream Link HERE


Last Time Out
This past weekend, the Trojans traveled to West Virginia to play a part in the UC Invitational. The squad played four games through the weekend against Belmont Abbey, Bloomsburg, Salem and Charleston (WV). They seemed to hit their stride finishing with a 3-1 record overall for the tournament. Helena Eubanks led the Trojans in total kills for the tournament with 39 while Amaya Cooper was second on the team in kills with 34. This led to the two being named to the UC Invitational All-Tournament team while the freshman sensation Amaya Cooper earned Food Lion's CIAA Rookie of the Week honors as well. Defensively, Cooper also led the Trojans with a team-high 13 blocks while Najlaa Williams turned in yet another productive weekend with a team-high 53 digs. During the Bloomsburg match, Kennedy Hoge was a force to be reckoned with as she finished the match with a career-high 14 kills and another career-high in digs with 20 with three aces. Amaya Cooper ended her weekend with a team season-high .474 hitting percentage which led to a career-high 11 kills against Salem. She also set a team season-high with 17 total points against Belmont Abbey. Helena Eubanks earned a team and personal season-high 13 kills along with a personal season-high six digs which led to 15 total points against Belmont Abbey.
 
 
Series History
The Trojans are undefeated against the Bulldogs in matchups dating back to 2012 with a 18-0 record against them.
 
 
Trojans Leaders
Helena Eubanks leads the Trojans offense with a team-high 92 kills in the season. Amaya Cooper is not far behind with 89 kills on the season which ranks her second on the team and second in the conference. Cooper's hitting percentage of .254 also ranks her first on the team and seventh in the conference. Makenzy Johnson leads the team in assists with 187 while Emma Quarles in a close second with 157 assists. Defensively, Najlaa Williams leads the charge with a team-high 155 digs which also ranks Williams first overall in digs in the CIAA by a mile as the next player has 116. Cooper is also first in blocks on the team with 32 while fellow freshman Leyla Conley is second with 26. Conley also leads the team in service aces as Kennedy Hoge nips at her heels with 14. As a team the Trojans currently lead the conference in assists with 397 and also lead in kills with 446. The squad is first in the conference in service aces with 79. Defensively, the squad leads the conference in digs with 619 and blocks with 75.
 
 
Scouting the Opponent – Bowie State University Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are coming into the game with a small sample size so far this season as they have only played three games resulting in a 2-1 record which ranks them second in the northern division of the CIAA. Jailyn Ivey leads the Bulldog's offense as the former Trojan and current VSU Volleyball record holder has a team-high 23 kills with a kill per set average of 3.83 which ranks her first in the CIAA. Lindsey Grossman leads the team in assists with 38. Charity Harris has a team-high in service aces with 13. Defensively, Neysha Washington has a team-high in digs with 23 and Kendal Hoges leads the team in blocks with 4. The Bulldogs are currently third in the CIAA in hitting percentage (.190) and opponent hitting percentage (.077). The squad also ranks second in kills per set (7.89) and first in opponents kills per set (6.78). The squad also ranks first in service aces per game (4.67) and opponents blocks (0.44).
 

Up Next
The Trojans will pack up and head to Lincoln University for a date with the Lions on Monday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m.