Four Teams Advance to Winner's Bracket in SWAC Volleyball Tournament

PINE BLUFF, AR - Alabama State, Alcorn State, Grambling State and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff volleyball teams came one step closer to becoming the 2000 Southwestern Athletic Conference champions with wins in the first round of double-elimination play on Tursday.

The opening match saw the Lady Tigers of GSU dispatch Jackson State's Lady Tigers 6-15, 15-5, 15-8,12-15, 17-15, in a heated battle, played at the Kenneth L. Johnson HPER complex on the UAPB campus. Tiffany Smoke's 21 kills helped lift the Lady Tigers to their first round victory.

The home-standing Lady Lions of UAPB conquered an inspired Mississippi Valley State University Devilette squad, 15-10, 14-16, 14-16, 15-7 and 15-8. The first two matches lasted over two hours as Jackson State and Valley fought valiantly to stay out of the losers bracket. UAPB's Tomika Gunnells, Shari Wiley and Jocelyn James combined for 33 kills (11 apiece) in the upset over MVSU.

Southern and Texas Southern put up brave efforts as well against Alcorn and Alabama State. However, their efforts were in vain as they fell into the first round's losing column.

The SWAC's Freshman of the Year, Andrea Horska of Alcorn State, turned in a solid performance while helping the Lady Braves to a 15-13, 15-7, 10-15, 15-7 triumph over SU. Southern's Mayumi Takeuchi had 22 kills and 18 digs, despite coming up short in the loss.

Alabama State upset the tourney's second-seeded TSU Lady Tigers, behind the efforts of Hakika Bookter's 21 kills. Melody Pugh aided Bookter with 39 kills in the Lady Hornets 15-11, 15-7, 9-15, 15-12 win over TSU.

GSU will take on the tournament favorite Alabama A&M, the top-seeded eastern division team, at 10:00 Fridaymorning. The defending champion, Lady Panthers of Prairie View A&M and western division first seed, will face Alcorn State. Both teams received a bye for the first day of competition.

"We'll have to come out with more intensity and we'll have to bring our A-game," said Grambling head coach Fred Payne. "You don't get a record of 27-2 and not be a tough team." Payne said, referring to Alabama A&M.

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