SHAW Streaks Past JCSU
Raleigh, NC – The Lady Bears of Shaw University were eager to take the floor against same conference competitors, the Johnson C. Smith Lady Golden Bulls. Shaw’s first home fixture of the season concluded with the Lady Bears beating the Lady Golden Bulls for a 3 – 1 win. Shaw now possesses a record of 9 – 7 Overall, 9 – 2 in the CIAA, and 4 – 1 in the Western Division.
Comfortably crowded fans wiped their eyes after hearing the angelic sounds of Lady Bears’ #23 Monica Grimmage (Freshman / Middle / Hitter Education) sing a thunderous rendition of the African American National Anthem. In the beginning of the first match, the Lady Golden Bulls lunged ahead for their first and last lead with two consecutive serving points. JCSU continued their offensive surge to build an 11 – 9 point margin advantage; which served as valid proof for fourth year Head Coach Laura Aker to signal for a timeout. After the break, the Lady Bears bullied the Lady Golden Bulls’ defensive front with a spotless and sequential scoring strategy to take a 19 – 12 lead. Despite JCSU freezing the action with a timeout, Shaw stepped back onto the hardwood focused on their unfinished business. The home team did just that as they closed out their first match winning 30 – 18.
It seemed as though the Shaw University Lady Bears consumed great portions of their cooler-full of momentum from their first match victory during the brief intermission. After JSCU returned #8 Crystal Salter’s (Senior / Setter / Biology) serve, teammate #24 Nikita Grant (Sophomore / Outside Hitter / Recreation) spiked the Lady Golden Bull defense for the Lady Bears’ first point. From that point on, it was all Shaw as they sped off in the forefront 14 – 3 and forced their opponents to take sixty seconds to restructure their strategy. The Lady Golden Bulls refueled their offense for a double-digit score, but Shaw’s offense was not in any way diluted as they continued to lead 27 – 14. The Lady Bears beat the Lady Golden Bulls in the second match 30 – 14.
Bears supporters began to pull out their keys and chanting “go start the bus” as, what they thought was the final match, was initiated. The score was knotted at 11 – 11 and fifth place JCSU took a timeout. Then, the Lady Golden Bulls assumed command of a 25 – 21 lead. Although Shaw attempted to recover with a timeout, but JCSU pulled away to theft the triumph 30 – 27.
The Lady Bears blasted into extended play for an 11 – 6 lead. The loss of breath Lady Golden Bulls called for a timeout, but not even that could impede Shaw’s train of tenacity. The Lady Bears “wow-ed” onlookers with multiple missiles down on JCSU to stretch their lead to 20 – 9 and convince the Lady Golden Bulls to take a second timeout. JCSU stood tall to initiate a comeback, but Shaw escaped their efforts to prevail 30 – 22.
Leading the way for Shaw was #1 Sharetta Riggins (Junior / Middle & Right Hitter / Kinesiotherapy) collecting a game high 23 of 54 team kills, four serving aces, five defensive digs, and one blocking assist. Another statistical leader was #8 Crystal Salter (Senior / Setter / Biology) as she accumulated a game high 41 of 43 team set assist, one serving ace, 11 defensive digs, and two blocking assists.
Support your Lady Bears as they remain in Raleigh for their second home competition as they take on the Fayetteville State University Lady Broncos. The much anticipated match is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. in C.C. Spalding Gymnasium.
For more information, please contact Demarcus Merritt in the Shaw University Department of Sports Information at (919) 546 – 8279 or via email dmerritt@shawu.edu
Shaw University Athletics: “A New Reality!”
