CHARLOTTE, NC (October 21, 2025) - Week 7 of CIAA volleyball brought another round of intense matchups and highlight-worthy moments across the court. Teams battled with determination, showcasing dominant attacks, timely serves, and relentless defense that kept fans on the edge of their seats from the opening serve to the final point.
Offensive Player – Chiara Vittoni, Fayetteville State
Chiara Vittoni powered the Broncos to a perfect 3–0 week, leading the offense with 38 kills across three matches. Her standout performance came against Virginia State, where she tallied 20 kills in a five-set thriller before hitting .611 with 12 kills in a sweep of Bluefield State. Vittoni also contributed three service aces, nine digs, and two blocks, while continuing to lead the conference in kills per set.
Defensive Player – Jasmine Culp, Fayetteville State
Jasmine Culp anchored the Broncos’ defense with 46 digs over three matches, including 18 in a five-set win over Virginia State. She added 15 digs against Johnson C. Smith and 13 more in a sweep of Bluefield State, keeping the back row steady all week. Culp also chipped in offensively with three assists and two service aces to round out a strong all-around performance.
Setter – Giovanna Teixeira, Fayetteville State
Giovanna Teixeira directed Fayetteville State’s offense with precision, dishing out 82 assists across three victories. She posted a season-high 44 assists in a five-set win over Virginia State and followed it up with 25 more in a sweep of Bluefield State. Teixeira also added three aces, 25 digs, and four blocks, maintaining her position as the conference leader in assists per set.
Rookie – Aryanna Connell, Claflin
Aryanna Connell delivered a dominant week for the Lady Panthers, totaling 49 kills over four matches. She shined against Shaw with 17 kills and five assists, and nearly matched that effort with 16 kills in a sweep of Lincoln (Pa.). Connell also contributed 24 digs and four blocks on the defensive end, showcasing her impact on both sides of the net.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first and longest running African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.