Alabama A&M captures second straight tournament title
SWAC.org
Dec. 1, 2008
CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE:
The Bulldogs of Alabama A&M won their second straight conference tournament title as they downed the Lady Tigers of Grambling State. The tournament came down to a deciding match as GSU earlier downed the Bulldogs in the opening match of the championship round.
AAMU's Karensa Beckford was named tournament most outstanding performer as she guided the Bulldogs throughout the tournament. In the final match, she finished with 12 kills, nine blocks and three digs. Cassidy Brazelton added 13 kills and three digs while Madinah Abdullah had eight kills and ten digs.
For Grambling State, Kayla Williams had 19 kills and seven digs while Kendra Johnson added 13 kills and seven digs. Jovon Lewis finished with 11 kills and two digs. Talon Morgan had 43 assists, 17 digs and five blocks.
All-Tournament Honors:
PVAM - Cheri Lindsay
TXSO - Krystal Obi
SU - Candace Southall
AAMU - Madinah Abdullah
AAMU - Karensa Beckford (Tourney Most Outstanding Performer)
MVSU - Shelby Thirsk
JSU - Brittany Larkin
GSU - Talon Morgan
GSU - Kendra Johnson
ALC - Terrica Scott
Other recaps from day two:
Match 11: Jackson State d. Prairie View A&M 3-1 (Lady Panthers eliminated)
Jackson State and Prairie View traded wins in sets one and two before the lady Tigers took control of the match in the final two sets. Long rallies by both teams marked the contest as both teams were looking to secure a spot in the semifinal.
Nina Baxter and Brittany Larkin each had 15 kills (Baxter added three blocks while Larkin had two) in the contest. Ebonee Dawson finished with 13 kills, two blocks and three digs. LaToya Clark finished 45 assists and seven digs.
For Prairie View A&M, Sharonda Marshall led Prairie View with 12 kills and three blocks while Shaun Williams had 11 kills and two blocks.
Match 12: Alabama A&M d. Grambling State 3-1
In a repeat of last year's tournament, the Bulldogs squared off against the GSU Lady Tigers in semifinal action. Alabama A&M won that match and went on to win the tournament.
Looking to have lightning - or at least the likely hood of the event - to strike again, the Bulldogs defeated the Lady Tigers to advance to the championship round of the tournament.
Madinah Abdullah led the Bulldogs with 13 kills and five digs while Cassidy Brazelton had 12 kills. Natalie Rodriguez had 37 assists and five digs.
For Grambling State, Kayla Williams finished with 18 kills and 11 digs while Talon Morgan garnered 41 assists, 11 digs and three blocks.
Match 13: Grambling State d. Jackson State 3-2
The GSU Lady Tigers advanced to the championship match with a five-set victory over Jackson State. Kendra Johnson had 15 kills, two aces and four digs while Kayla Williams had 14 kills and 15 digs.
Match 14: Grambling State d. Alabama A&M 3-1
Kendra Johnson's 17 kills and 11 digs paced the Lady Tigers as they forced a deciding second match for the championship. Shawonna Davis had 13 kills while Kayla Williams added 11.
For Alabama A&M, Karensa Beckford had a team-best 14 kills while Madinah Abdullah had 12 kills.