By Eric N. Moore
Managing Editor

We generally don't cover volleyball until the conference championships but Friday's results involving defending champions caught our attention.

Claflin University completed a season sweep of Albany State, knocking off the Lady Rams 3-0 (25-20,29-27, 25-18) in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  ASU, the nine time defending SIAC champion, fell to 13-9 on the season. Claflin improved to 19-4

Claflin had defeated ASU earlier in the season, 3-2, in Albany.

"I always get nervous before each game because I don't know which team will show up," said Lady Panther coach Vernell Kitt-Capers.  "Fortunately the right team has shown up in the last few games." 

While Claflin was knocking off Albany State, across the street South Carolina State was handing defending MEAC champion Florida A&M their second loss to a conference opponent in ten years.  The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Ratters, 3-2 (20-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-13, 11-15), Friday evening at Dukes Gymnasium.

The tough day extended to Normal, AL as defending SWAC champion Alabama A&M had its 16-game conference winning streak dating back to 2008 snapped losing to Jackson State 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-14).  AAMU dropped to 8-9 overall while JSU improved to 17-11 on the year.