Women's Volleyball 7/8/2024 2:57:00 PM

Stillman Volleyball Set for New Era with Schedule Announcement

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - A new era of Stillman College women's volleyball will begin this fall as first-year head coach Theresa Berry-Franks takes the helm in the Tigers' first year in the HBCU Athletic Conference. Stillman is expected to play 28 regular season matches, including eight home matches on campus in Birthright Alumni Hall.

"Our focus this season is on building a resilient and cohesive team," emphasized new head coach Theresa Berry-Franks. "We've put in the work during the offseason to establish a strong foundation around our seniors, Nylah Billingsley, Aeraeonna Manual, Emily Powell, and key returners Gracie Fjeldstad, Raine Patterson, and Michele Threatt. We're ready to bring our A-game to every match, fueled by our determination and passion. I have full confidence in our returning players' ability to lead by example and inspire their teammates."

Alongside the six-returning student-athletes are a host of newcomers to the program.

Franks shared her excitement about the new additions, saying, "We're thrilled to welcome a host of new faces to the squad, each with their unique talents and potential. Ava Cameron, Kelis Conley, Halie Jo Deloach, Paige Eason, Katelyn Lawson, Brianna Moore, Erin Nelson, and Caleigh Walker are all set to make an immediate impact on the team, and we can't wait to see them in action."

The Tigers are scheduled to begin the season August 16-17 at a tournament hosted by Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi before scrimmaging Wallace College Selma on the road and at home the following Monday and Wednesday.

A trip to the Talladega College Tournament on August 30-31 will kick the season into high gear. Stillman will meet former Southern States Athletic Conference foes Point University and Life University, as well as Appalachian Athletic Conference foes Johnson University and Truett McConnell University. A pair of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) matches will follow with a trip to Tuskegee University on Sept. 3 and a home opener against Miles College on Sept. 5. A return trip to Miles will close the regular season on Nov. 6.

Stillman will make its debut in the new HBCU Athletic Conference on Saturday, Sept. 7 with a trip to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. It will be the first 11 HBCUAC matches plus two crossover events to make up conference play.

Wilberforce University will serve as the first HBCU Athletic Conference event host at Stillman College on Sept. 13, followed by Oakwood University on Sept. 17. Another NCAA Division II opponent will come to town on Sept. 19 when Stillman hosts the University of West Alabama, one of six matches against NCAA DII competition. September will conclude on the road with conference road trips to Rust College (Sept. 21), Talladega College (Sept. 28), and then a crossover at Tougaloo College, Sept. 27-28.

There will be nine days of competition in October, beginning with a non-conference home match against Tuskegee on Oct. 1 and a conference match against Fisk on Oct. 4. Stillman will spend the next two weeks on the road at Oakwood (Oct. 5), West Alabama (Oct. 9), Wilberforce (Oct. 12) and the Talladega crossover (Oct. 18-19). Talladega College and Rust College will come to Tuscaloosa on Oct. 22 and Oct. 24 to close the HBCU Athletic Conference schedule and set the seeding for the HBCU Athletic Conference Championships, which will be in Shreveport, Louisiana, Nov. 10-13.

"We cannot wait to embrace this new era of Stillman Volleyball," said Franks.

The schedule can be viewed in its entirety here.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#22 Gracie Fjeldstad: S; 5' 3"; Freshman

#1 Nylah Billingsley: OH/S; 5' 5"; Junior

#7 Emily Powell: DS/L; 5' 4"; Junior

#9 Raine Patterson: MH; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#22 Gracie Fjeldstad
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: S

#1 Nylah Billingsley
: 5' 5"; Junior
: OH/S

#7 Emily Powell
: 5' 4"; Junior
: DS/L

#9 Raine Patterson
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: MH