Lady Braves Bring In Loaded Class of 19 Newcomers for 2017
Women's Volleyball |

Lady Braves Bring In Loaded Class of 19 Newcomers for 2017

LORMAN, Miss. – The Alcorn State University volleyball program revamped its roster with the addition of 19 newcomers for 2017, head coach Chelsey Nicholas announced.
 
The incoming class includes 16 freshmen and three transfers. They join four returning players which includes seniors Brittney Dumas and Lurlethia Jones, junior Simone Joiner and sophomore Wanya Morris.
 
The 2017 class includes setters Jasmine Chambers, Majesty Ferguson and Jasmine Youngthunder - outside hitters Kayla Anderson, Damyani Collier, Omone Davies, Octavia Dixon and Mae Lewis – middle blockers/right side Brittney Jackson, Alicia Johnson, Alondra Rivera Modesto, Ashley Samuel, Daharri Thompkins, Singryd Valadares and Joeli Warren-Smith – and liberos/defensive specialists Fiapaipai Iosia, Jamiya Hoyt, Kaylyn Latin and Melinda Perrilloux.
 
"These young ladies are going to be a great addition to the foundation we trying to start here. We wanted student-athletes that would be great fits for Alcorn State University and our growing volleyball family. I am looking forward to see the transition from the beginning of the season to the end," Nicholas said. "Each student-athlete brings a unique personality and attributes that will contribute to our established team culture. We're looking forward to watching these young women grow as teammates and individuals on and off the court. We are blessed to have all these wonderful young ladies and all of their families becoming Braves."
 
SETTERS
Coach Nicholas on the setters
"They are athletic setters that will give us immediate depth in an integral position. We love that they bring big game, championship experience to our team."
 
No. 1 Jasmine Chambers (5-11, Setter, Freshman, Fort Worth, Texas)
High School
Lettered in both volleyball and basketball at Lake Country Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas… named the school's Female Athlete of the Year in 2016-17… two-time All-State selection in both volleyball and basketball… also earned First-Team All-District and District MVP in both volleyball and basketball as well as All-State Academic… helped lead the school to the TAPP-3A State Championship in basketball in 2016-17… volleyball Offensive Player of the Year in conference
 
Personal
Full name is Jasmine Hayleana-Shera Chambers… born March 29, 1999 in Chicago… daughter of Lepoleon and Lorraine Chambers… has three sibling, Charles, Dominique and Cherraine… majoring in health and physical education
 
No. 16 Majesty Ferguson (5-10, Setter, Freshman, Decatur, Ga.)
High School
Lettered in volleyball and track & field at Lakeside HS… a two-time All-Tournament Team selection in her league… Team MVP and named Best All-Around Player… was honored with the Viking Award which goes to one senior for leadership skills, work in the classroom and in the community… was on Honor Roll… named Most Likely to be Remembered and the 11th grade Homecoming Princess
 
Personal
Full name is Majesty Rhea Ferguson… nickname is Maj… born Dec. 8, 1998 daughter of Harold Ferguson and Renee Lee-Ferguson… has older sisters Kierra and Sierra Lee-Dunson who played volleyball at ECU... majoring in mass communications and wants to be a radio show or TV show host
 
No. 22 Jasmine Youngthunder (5-10, Setter, Freshman, Black River Falls, Wis.)
High School
Lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball at Bayshore HS… named the team's 2016-17 Offensive Player of the Year in basketball… two-time MVP and 2016 co-captain in volleyball… named to the Lady Jam Holiday All-Tournament Team and the 2016 Smoothie King Classic Tournament MVP… guided the team to the 2016 Smoothie King Classic Championship
 
Personal
Full name is Jasmine Korina Youngthunder… nicknames are Jazzy and Jazz… born Oct. 25, 1998… daughter of Daniel Sr. and Louella Youngthunder… has a sister, Heather and a brother, Daniel Jr… enjoys drawing and outdoor activities
 
OUTSIDE HITTERS
Coach Nicholas on Davies and Dixon
"Omone and Octavia are dynamic athletes which means they jump well and are explosive. We were impressed with their maturity and drive to be the best. Some of the things that stood out while watching them play were they communicate great on the court, play with passion, have great intensity. They love to compete."
 
No. 5 Omone Davies (5-11, Outside Hitter, Freshman, Richmond, Texas)
High School
A four-year letterwinner in volleyball and track & field at Foster HS… selected to the All-District First-Team in 2017 and All-District Second-Team in 2016… helped her club team become Junior Olympic Champions in 2013-14… set a career-high in high school of 15 kills in a match
 
Personal
Full name is Omone Brianna Davies… nickname is Brianna… born June 25, 1999… daughter of Ernest Davies and Celestina Lamai… majoring in nursing and wants to be an anesthesiologist
 
No. 6 Octavia Dixon (5-9, Outside Hitter, Freshman, San Antonio, Texas)
High School
Played at William J. Brennan HS for coach Robin Hanssen... All-State Academic... earned Honor Roll all four years

Personal
Full name is Octavia Yvonne Dixon... nickname is Tavia... born Jan. 14, 1999 in Sedalia, Missouri... daughter of Earnest and Stephanie Dixon... has one older sibling, Lamont Dixon... majoring in accounting with a minor in business management
 
Coach Nicholas on Anderson, Lewis and Collier
"These young ladies are great athletes that love the weight room, take pride in their work ethic and treat people exceptionally well. They have the traits and qualities that our program looks for in our young ladies and they will be a great players for the culture which we are still building."
 
No. 9 Kayla Anderson (5-11, Outside Hitter, Freshman, Baltimore, Md.)
High School
Named All-County and MVP at Eastern Technical HS
 
Personal
Full name is Kayla Rae Anderson… nickname is Kay… born July 19, 1999… daughter of Raymond and Roxann Anderson… the middle sibling between Kyasia and Peyton Anderson… majoring in public policy
 
No. 13 Damyani Collier (5-9, Outside Hitter, Freshman, Alvarado, Texas)
High School
Lettered in volleyball, basketball and track & field at Alvarado HS… named to the All-County First-Team and MVP in volleyball… her 2016 AAU basketball team were champions of "Basketball on the Bayou"
 
Personal
Full name is Damyani Alicia Collier… nickname is Tookie… born Jan. 13, 1999… daughter of H.B. and Ana Collier… has an older brother, H.B. Collier who played two years of football at McPherson College… majoring in pre-nursing
 
No. 18 Mae Lewis (5-9, Outside Hitter, Freshman, Enterprise, Ala.)
High School
Guided Enterprise HS to the regional championship three years in a row under coach Jane Wiggins
 
Personal
Full name is Mae Elizabeth Lewis… nickname is Mae Mae… born Oct. 3, 1998 in Columbia, South Carolina… daughter of Keith and Tina Lewis… the middle child of siblings Xavier and Jake Lewis… enjoys reading and drawing… majoring in social work
 
MIDDLE BLOCKERS & RIGHT SIDE
Coach Nicholas on Jackson, Johnson and Samuel
"They are terrific right-side hitter/middle hitters that will be a dynamic contributors for us. We're looking forward to the depth that they brings us on the outside and middle."
 
No. 8 Brittney Jackson (5-10, Outside Hitter, Freshman, Dallas, Texas)
High School
A three-sport athlete that lettered in basketball, volleyball and track & field at Hillcrest HS… earned All-District honors in volleyball as well as Defensive Player of the Year… guided her club team to championships in 2015 and 2016
 
Personal
Full name is Brittney Natasha Jackson… nickname is Brit… born Jan. 29, 1999… daughter of Tyrone and Natalie Jackson… has an older sister and a younger brother… majoring in biology/physical therapy
 
No. 21 Alicia Johnson (5-11, Right Side, Freshman, Houma, La.)
High School
A four-year letterwinner in both volleyball and basketball at Houma Christian School… earned First-Team All-State in basketball and Second-Team All-State in volleyball… honored on the All-District First-Team in both basketball and volleyball… helped the Lady Warriors reach the state championship game in 2017 in basketball… scored 1,000 career points in basketball
 
Personal
Full name is Alicia Vaughn Johnson… nickname is Lelee... born Sept. 28, 1999… daughter of Nykee Sr. and Lawanda Johnson… has two younger brothers Nykee Jr. and Josiah… her father played football at Alcorn… enjoys reading, swimming, bowling and skating… majoring in nursing
 
No. 7 Ashley Samuel (6-1, Middle Blocker/Right Side, Freshman, Lancaster, Texas)
High School
Named MVP at Lancaster HS
 
Personal
Full name is Ashley Samantha Samuel… born July 6, 1999… daughter of Rodney Samuel who played basketball at West Virginia… majoring in nursing
 
Coach Nicholas on Warren-Smith and Thompkins
"Smith and Thompkins are a great additions to our program. They are strong, hard-working middle blockers and have the heart of true Braves."
 
No. 12 Joeli Warren-Smith (6-0, Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker, Freshman, Montgomery, Ala.)
High School
Played four years of volleyball, three years of basketball and two years of track & field at Park Crossing HS
 
Personal
Full name is Joeli Danielle Warren-Smith… nicknames are Jo and JoJo… born Oct. 20, 1998 in Melborne, Florida… daughter of Gloria D. Smith… majoring in physical therapy with the goal of being an athletic trainer for a major sports team
 
No. 15 Daharri Thompkins (5-10, Middle Blocker, Freshman, Lakeland, Fla.)
High School
Lettered in both volleyball and track & field at George Jenkins HS… tabbed All-County Honorable Mention in volleyball three years in a row… graduated cum laude
 
Personal
Born Feb. 17, 1999… nickname is Harri… daughter of Dimari Thompkins and Tuesday Troutman… has two younger siblings, Mack and Laia Troutman… her father played two years of basketball at Virginia Tech… majoring in psychology
 
LIBEROS & DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Coach Nicholas on Iosia, Perrilloux, Latin and Hoyt
"These young ladies bring an added layer of depth to the libero and defensive specialist positions. We love their athleticism, personality and confidence they bring to the floor for us."
 
No. 30 Fiapaipai Iosia (5-7, Libero, Freshman, Long Beach, Calif.)
High School
A three-year letterwinner in volleyball at Long Beach Poly… earned CIF Division I First-Team honors… named Most Inspirational by the team… guided the team to the semifinals of the Division I Southern Section CIF tournament
 
Personal
Full name is Fiapaipai Julia Iosia… nickname is pie… born March 30, 1999… daughter of Pase and Agnes Iosia… both of her siblings played collegiate volleyball as Naomi Iosia played at Hope International University and Saitava Iosia at Towson University… majoring in psychology and her goal is to become a sports psychologist
 
No. 2 Melinda Perrilloux (5-7, Libero, Sophomore, LaPlace, La.)
High School
Lettered in volleyball, track & field and powerlifting at East St. John HS… qualified for both district and regionals in track… helped her volleyball team win a tournament in Grambling her senior year… earned a spot on the Honor Roll… named best passer/defensive specialist as a senior
 
Personal
Full name is Melinda Joyce Perriloux… nickname is Tootie… born Jan. 14, 1998… daughter of Marvin and Pamela S. Perriloux… has two older brothers and an older sister… her cousin Elizabeth Joi Scioneaux played volleyball at Loyola… cousin Ariel Scioneaux participated in track & field at UNO… cousin Jessica Scioneaux played volleyball at SUNO… majoring in biology and wants to be a forensic scientist
 
No. 17 Kaylyn Latin (5-11, Libero, Freshman, Houston, Texas)
High School
Played at Jersey Village HS and was a Second-Team All-District selection
 
Personal
Full name is Kaylyn Romona Latin… nickname is Kay Kay… born May 25, 1999… daughter of Anthony and Tracy Latin… has two siblings, Charles and Angalyn Latin… majoring in nursing and wants to be a pediatrician
 
No. 19 Jamiya Hoyt (5-6, Defensive Specialist, Freshman, Houston, Texas)
High School
Lettered in volleyball, basketball and track & field at Benjamin Davis HS… racked up 353 digs, 48 aces and 33 kills her senior year… guided the team to the playoffs three consecutive years and second-place in district… a two-time All-Academic selection and was on the Honor Roll
 
Personal
Full name is Jamiya Venea Hoyt… nickname is Miya… born July 28, 1999… daughter of Darron Hoyt and Rebecca Sanford… has an older brother, Jecory Hoyt… has a cousin, Jaslyn Perrodin who played softball at Southern University… majoring in nursing
 
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS
Coach Nicholas on Rivera Modesto and Valadares
"We're so excited that Alondra and Singryd decided to transfer and move right into the Brave volleyball program. They are very athletic middle blocker and outsides that's been really well coached at the high school level, and we're looking forward to watching them ascend this season!"
 
No. 11 Singryd Valadares (6-3, Middle Blocker/Right Side, Junior, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Previous School
Played two years at Colby CC in Kansas and was an All-Conference selection in 2016

Personal
Full name is Singryd Isabela Silva Valadares... born Aug. 7, 1995 in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil... daughter of Edson Pires Valadares and Maria Natal Da Silva... major is undecided
 
No. 20 Alondra Rivera Modesto (5-10, Middle Blocker, Junior, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Previous School
Played two seasons at Eastern Florida State College... earned a spot on the President's List for strong academics

High School
A four-sport athlete that lettered in volleyball, basketball, softball and track & field at Florida Air Academy... Team MVP in volleyball... helped the basketball team win the District Championship 2012-13

Personal
Born Oct. 8, 1997 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico... nickname is Aloe... daughter of Edwin Rivera and Syndia Modesto... majoring in psychology with a minor in cosmetology
 
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