BOSSIER CITY, La. - In its first postseason match since 2015, six-seeded Stillman College was not going to go down easily against third-seed Fisk University. The Tigers claimed the first set and led 2-1 over the Bulldogs before eventually falling in five sets during the HBCU Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships quarterfinals on Monday.
 

After Stillman took the first set 25-23, Fisk answered with a 25-18 win. The Tigers came out on top again, 25-22, but Fisk had a lopsided win in the fourth set, 25-14. The Tigers rallied to tie the fifth set, 13-13, but Fisk pulled out the match with a 15-13 win in the deciding set.
 

It was the closest five-set match in the tournament since the 2017 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference quarterfinals when Tougaloo beat Talladega, 16-14, in a five-set win.
 

Stillman was making its first postseason appearance since its final year in NCAA Division II in 2015. One month after that season concluded, the program was cut and restored in 2022.

"Our journey to the conference tournament is a testament to the resilience and determination of this team," said first-year Stillman head coach Theresa Berry-Franks. "These players came together, embraced the challenge, and refused to give up. Along the way, we've broken several school records since athletics were reinstated, showcasing the growth and progress of our program. Their hard work, commitment, and belief in each other have brought us to this moment. This is only the beginning of a new era for Stillman Volleyball."
 

HBCU Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Ava Cameron led Stillman with a career-high 13 kills and five total blocks in the match, while Katyln Lawson had a career-high 11 kills. Kelis Conley's 44 set assists were also a career high.
 

Senior Aeraeonna Manuel had nine kills and four total blocks, while fellow senior Emily Powell had 15 digs. 

Trailing 22-20 in the first set, Stillman used a 5-3 run to become the first underdog to win the first set in the 2024 tournament.

Fisk was led by First Team All-HBCUAC selection Sydney Wells' 15 kills. Delaney Farver had 12 kills, while Trinity Crawford and HBCUAC Player of the Year Reagan Jones each had 10 kills and eight digs. Trinity Britt had 53 assists and 11 digs.
 

Stillman finished its first season in the HBCU Athletic Confrence with a 8-19 overall record and was two points shy of the conference semifinals. The year saw the Tigers record wins over six different programs, including seven conference wins.