Bowie, Maryland (November 22, 2025) – The semifinal round of the 46th CIAA Volleyball Championship delivered the intensity expected on the road to a title, as Fayetteville State and Shaw each secured victories inside A. C. Jordan Arena. The two programs will meet in tomorrow’s championship match, scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.
“Both semifinals showed the excellence that lives within this conference,” said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “It was an incredible day of volleyball, and we are looking forward to crowning a champion tomorrow.”
Tomorrow’s championship matchup is set:
12:00 PM: Fayetteville State vs Shaw
Fans can watch live on The CIAA Sports Network.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE RETURNS TO THE TITLE STAGE
Fayetteville State def. Virginia State 3–1 (25–17, 25–13, 19–25, 25–21)
Fayetteville State opened Semifinal Saturday with a strong and composed performance, defeating top seeded Virginia State to claim the first spot in the championship final. The Broncos controlled the opening two sets with efficient attacking and disciplined defensive play, creating separation with sustained scoring runs and steady ball control.
After Virginia State responded with a push in the third set, Fayetteville State regrouped and closed the match in the fourth behind timely kills from Ramona Pulu, Symone Morris, and Amori Johnson. Setter Giovanna Teixeira guided the attack with consistent distribution and added valuable defensive support. With the win, the Broncos punched their ticket to Championship Sunda
SHAW RALLIES IN FIVE SET THRILLER TO REACH ITS THIRD STRAIGHT FINAL
Shaw def. Bowie State 3–2 (25–21, 9–25, 23–25, 25–17, 15–7)
Shaw advanced to its third consecutive CIAA Championship match after outlasting Bowie State in the most dramatic contest of the tournament. Trailing two sets to one, the Bears regrouped and surged through the fourth and fifth frames with confidence and poise.
Leana Gould powered the Shaw offense with strong swings throughout the match, while MaKaylah Brown, Makaylah Simmons, and Sydni Hunter added key scoring stretches in pivotal moments. Setters Kya Moore and Kalia Morris kept the Bears in rhythm, anchoring both offense and back row when pressure mounted.
Bowie State delivered one of its strongest postseason performances in recent years. Lyric Snowden fueled the Bulldogs with dynamic play on both sides of the ball, and Nadira Avery sparked multiple scoring runs. Bowie State challenged Shaw late before the Bears closed with a decisive final push.
TITLE MATCH SET BETWEEN FAMILIAR SOUTHERN DIVISION CONTENDERS
Tomorrow’s championship features a Southern Division showdown as No. 2 seed Fayetteville State meets No. 3 seed Shaw. The Broncos advance after knocking off top seeded Virginia State in a commanding semifinal effort, while Shaw returns to the title stage following a gritty five set win over Bowie State.
The matchup also carries a meaningful regular season storyline. Fayetteville State won both meetings against the Bears, earning a five set victory on October 27 before closing the season series with a four set win on November 6 in Raleigh. With both teams carrying postseason momentum, the championship match promises a high level and fiercely contested battle between two familiar opponents.
The 2025 CIAA Volleyball Championship match begins tomorrow at 12:00 PM inside A. C. Jordan Arena.
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 is the first and longest running African American athletic conference in the United States and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts fourteen championships attended by more than one hundred fifty thousand 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.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its twelve 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 the conference on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.