Senior Night Victory for the Marauders: Central State Tops Kentucky State in Four Sets

Wilberforce, OH – November 16, 2024

On a memorable Senior Night, the Central State Marauders defeated their rivals, Kentucky State, in four sets (28-26, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23) at Beacom/Lewis Gym, securing an emotional and hard-fought win in front of a packed home crowd.

Despite a rocky second set, the Marauders bounced back to clinch the final two sets in dramatic fashion, powered by strong performances across the board. The victory marked a significant moment for Central State's seniors, who played key roles in the win.

Set-by-Set Breakdown:

• Set 1: Central State 28, Kentucky State 26
  The match opened with high intensity as both teams battled point for point. Central State capitalized on 14 kills and a solid .184 hitting percentage, but it was a late surge, sparked by Zahra Coates and Si'Ayera Boone, that helped the Marauders secure the set. Kentucky State's Randi Neal and Camri Goodwin both put up 9 kills each, but their team struggled with efficiency, finishing with a .086 hitting percentage in the set.

• Set 2: Kentucky State 25, Central State 20
  Kentucky State came back strong in set 2, showing improved offense with a .208 hitting percentage. A combination of strong serving and defense, led by Amber Gregory's 16 assists, helped the Thorobreds even the match. Central State struggled offensively in the set, hitting just .115, with Nevaeh Brownlee's four aces not enough to overcome the late Kentucky State surge.

• Set 3: Central State 25, Kentucky State 17
  With the match tied at 1-1, the Marauders dominated set 3. Central State's offense found its rhythm, hitting .250 and led by Coates' 4 kills. Boone was also a standout, contributing both offensively and defensively. On the other hand, Kentucky State faltered, hitting negative .026 in the set, as the Marauders ran away with a comfortable win.

• Set 4: Central State 25, Kentucky State 23
  The final set was a nail-biter, with both teams trading leads. A late block by Jasmin Churchill and a crucial kill by Braelynn Reese helped Central State edge out Kentucky State. With the score tied at 23, two key kills from Boone secured the win for the Marauders, clinching the match in front of an emotionally charged Senior Night crowd.

Key Players:

• Central State:

  • Zahra Coates led the way with 11 kills and 2 aces, setting the tone for the Marauders' offense.
  • Si'Ayera Boone contributed 9 kills, 5 blocks, and 3 aces, playing a pivotal role both offensively and defensively.
  • Jasmin Churchill was a standout at the net with 6 blocks, helping Central State dominate defensively.
  • Nevaeh Brownlee delivered a stellar all-around performance with 4 aces, 14 assists, and 5 digs.
  • Brooke Morris gets 1,000th career assist

• Kentucky State:

  • Randi Neal and Camri Goodwin each posted 9 kills, but it wasn't enough to overcome Central State's offensive firepower.
  • Leah Tubbs was a force at the net with 4 blocks, while Amber Gregory set up 16 assists for the Thorobreds.

Team Statistics:

• Kills: Central State led 45-41 in kills.
• Aces: Central State had the edge in aces, 8-2.
• Blocks: The Marauders also dominated at the net, out-blocking Kentucky State 11-5.
• Digs: Central State finished with 46 digs, led by Amasjah Gillings' 14.

The victory secured a memorable Senior Night win for Central State, as the team now looks to build momentum heading into the postseason. The Marauders' combination of strong offense, solid serving, and tight defense proved to be the difference in a hard-fought rivalry match.