BOWIE, MD -- Led by the tournament's most valuable player Sherita Wilson, the Saint Augustine's College Lady Falcons swept by the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles; 15-10; 15-3; 15-6, winning the 2000 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Volleyball Championship.
After the Lady Eagles kept it close in the first game, Saint Augustine's relentless
pressure allowed them to distance themselves from the Lady Eagles. Wilson led
the Lady Falcons with 14 kills while Andrea Byfield chipped in with 10 kills.
Shennel Beckles set the duo up and recorded 34 set assists.
For the 1999 defending champions, Paulette Peoples led the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles with nine kills and 10 digs.
The Lady Eagles advanced to the finals by defeating the Shaw University Lady Bears; 15-12; 7-15; 15-9; 15-10. After trailing early in game four, the Lady Eagles capitalized on the Lady Bear attacking errors to forge the lead they would not relinquish. Ayanna Wright recorded the winning kill.
To get to the finals, the Lady Falcons first had to go through the Western Division champion Fayetteville State University Lady Broncos, winning in four; 13-15; 15-12; 15-10; 15-13.
The teams were never separated by more than a few points with both teams digging out their opponent's best attack efforts. The defensive struggle ended in the fourth game when the Lady Falcons rallied from behind for the win.
2000 CIAA Volleyball Championships Most Valuable Player
Sherita Wilson - St. Augustine's College