Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Claflin University secured its first SIAC tournament championship with a 3-1 win over defending champions Kentucky State on Wednesday at the Birmingham Crossplex. The Lady Panthers earned the match victory with set scores of 25-17, 25-15, 22-25, and 25-15, to complete the 2014 SIAC Volleyball Tournament.

CU (23-12) picked up back-to-back set wins against KSU (23-17) to start the match, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the championship match.

Tournament MVP, Chelcy Foster, powered the Lady Panthers with 15 kills hitting .419. Caleen Hawkins chipped in 42 assists to earn all-tournament honors.

Defensively, Courtney Person, Kiara Johnson and Caitlyn Marsh led the Lady Panthers combining for 46 digs to control the backline. Person led the floor with 21 digs, Johnson posted 15 with Marsh recording 10.

CU held a 2-1 lead heading into the third set and jumped out to a 10-5 advantage. After the Thorobrettes scored back-to-back points with kills from Emily Grieshaber to narrow the gap 10-7, two KSU errors with a kill and service ace from Hawkins, pushed the lead 13-7.

The Lady Panthers outscored KSU 12-8 behind four kills from Foster to close out the match and secure the 2014 SIAC Championship.

CU hit .216 for the match while KSU connected .120. Grieshaber led the Thorobrettes with 19 kills. Anjelique Kyle guided the offense with 31 assists. Micah Rogers and Kiara Rivera tallied eight digs apiece to lead KSU's defensive efforts.

While anything other than a championship is a disappointment for the Thorobrettes which were looking for their fourth SIAC Championship in the last five years, Kentucky State had another great season. KSU has tallied 20-win seasons in 10 of the last 12 years. Emily Grieshaber capped off an impressive career by being named SIAC Player of the Year for the second season in a row. Looking forward the Thorobrettes will be able to count on 2014 SIAC Setter of the Year, Anjelique Kyle, and this seasons Newcomer of the Year, Kiara Rivera, who will both be returning next season.

The Lady Panthers will make their first appearance in the NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament. CU will face a team to be determined during the NCAA Division Women's Volleyball Selection Show. The stream is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.

TOURNAMENT MVP
Chelcy Foster (Claflin)

SETTER OF THE TOURNAMENT
Caleen Hawkins (Claflin)

LIBERO OF THE TOURNAMENT
Kiara Rivera (Kentucky State)

COACH OF THE TOURNAMENT
Vernell Capers (Claflin)

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Chelcy Foster (Claflin)
Caleen Hawkins (Claflin)
Lydie Wise (Claflin)
Emily Grieshaber (Kentucky State)
Kiara Rivera (Kentucky State)
Sierra Scoggins (Clark Atlanta)
Jacolby Brown (Benedict)