Albany State volleyball to host “Black Excellence Classic”

ALBANY — Albany State needed a breakthrough before coming home.

The Lady Golden Rams got one.

After dropping their first three matches of the season, Albany State closed last weekend’s Bobcat Classic by beating host Georgia College 3-1 — the program’s first victory over the Bobcats.

Now the Lady Golden Rams return to Albany with a little momentum and three opportunities to build on it.

Albany State will host the Black Excellence Volleyball Classic Friday and Saturday at the Jones Brothers HPER Complex, with the Lady Golden Rams facing Virginia Union, Savannah State and Clinton College.

Albany State (1-3) opens tournament play Friday at 2 p.m. against Virginia Union. The Lady Golden Rams return Saturday for a 9 a.m. match against Savannah State before closing their weekend against Clinton College at 3 p.m.

The tournament brings a collection of HBCU volleyball programs to Albany for two days of competition. Savannah State, Virginia Union, Benedict, Allen, Claflin, Clinton College and Wiley are among the schools with matches scheduled in Albany.

For Albany State, the weekend is another opportunity to develop a team expected to contend in the SIAC.

The Lady Golden Rams went 15-4 in conference play last season and were picked third in this year’s preseason poll. Senior outside hitter Jarianis Perez was named first-team preseason All-SIAC after recording 336 kills, 272 digs and 46 service aces last season.

Albany State’s opening weekend, however, showed there is work to do.

The Lady Golden Rams fell 3-1 to Carson-Newman and West Alabama on Friday before Southern Wesleyan swept them Saturday morning.

Hours later, Albany State responded.

The Lady Golden Rams beat Georgia College 25-22, 17-25, 25-16, 25-21 to leave Milledgeville with their first victory of the season — and their first ever against the Bobcats.

Amiria Anderson led the attack with 12 kills in the victory, while Perez contributed nine kills, 16 digs and two service aces. Maya Ogbogu and Shaniya Banks added seven kills apiece.

The difference was especially noticeable defensively.

Albany State collected 62 digs against Georgia College after recording 41 in the earlier loss to Southern Wesleyan. The Lady Golden Rams also finished the victory with 42 kills, five aces and eight block assists.

Through four matches, Anderson has emerged as one of Albany State’s early offensive leaders, while Perez continues to contribute on both sides of the net.

Now head coach Verniece Graham, in her ninth season leading the program, gets another opportunity to evaluate her team before the SIAC schedule becomes the focus.

And this time, she gets to do it at home.

The Black Excellence Classic begins a busy September for Albany State, but after spending its opening weekend searching for a victory, the Lady Golden Rams will walk onto their home floor with one already behind them.

The challenge now is turning that breakthrough into momentum.

BLACK EXCELLENCE VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC
Albany State matches — Jones Brothers HPER Complex

Friday: vs. Virginia Union, 2 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Savannah State, 9 a.m.; vs. Clinton College, 3 p.m.