MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It was a weekend filled with emotion, determination, and a little Homecoming magic inside Bruce Johnson Hall as the LeMoyne Owen College women's volleyball team split a pair of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) match-ups against Kentucky State University and Central State University.
After falling in straight sets to Kentucky State during Friday evening's Pink Out contest, the Lady Magicians returned to the court Saturday afternoon with renewed energy and something to prove. In front of an enthusiastic Homecoming crowd, LeMoyne Owen delivered one of its most memorable performances of the season, defeating Central State in a five-set thriller to capture its first conference victory of the 2026 campaign.
Pink Out: Lady Magicians Battle Kentucky State
Friday's Pink Out match-up brought a special atmosphere to Bruce Johnson Hall as the Lady Magicians welcomed Kentucky State for an evening dedicated to breast cancer awareness.
Despite a determined effort, LeMoyne- Owen fell to the Thorobreds in three sets, 25-20, 25-16, and 25-21.
Jordan Williams led the Lady Magicians offensively, recording a team-high nine kills while contributing two solo blocks. Rylee Foerster and Jada Griffin added five kills apiece, with Foerster hitting an efficient .250.
Setter Madelyn Ross continued to direct the offense, finishing with 18 assists, while libero Makayla Smith anchored the back row with a team-high 15 digs. Kennedy White and Ileana Austin each added eight digs, with White also recording two service aces.
Although Kentucky State held the advantage offensively with 38 kills compared to LOC's 25, the Lady Magicians made their presence felt at the net. LeMoyne Owen registered six blocks while limiting the Thorobreds to just one.
The Lady Magicians showed resilience in the third set, pushing Kentucky State before ultimately falling 25-21. While the result was not what LOC hoped for, the match-up provided another opportunity for the team to build chemistry and prepare for Saturday's Homecoming showdown.
Homecoming Magic: LOC Takes Down Central State in Five-Set Thriller
With Homecoming festivities in full swing, the Lady Magicians gave their supporters plenty to celebrate Saturday afternoon.
In a back-and-forth battle that featured momentum swings, timely defensive stops, and clutch offensive execution, LeMoyne Owen outlasted Central State University in five sets, 25-22, 22-25, 26-24, 22-25, and 15-11.
Williams delivered a standout performance, leading the Lady Magicians with 15 kills on an impressive .323 hitting percentage. The powerful attacker also contributed five total blocks, giving LOC a consistent presence on both sides of the net.
Kennedy White provided another offensive spark with 13 kills and nine digs, while Foerster and Griffin each added nine kills. Malani Duncan contributed eight kills and three total blocks, helping LeMoyne- Owen establish a balanced offensive attack that kept Central State's defense guessing.
Running the show was Ross, who turned in an exceptional performance with 48 assists, 10 digs, and a service ace. Her ability to distribute the ball allowed five Lady Magicians to record at least eight kills.
Defensively, Smith continued to showcase her reliability in the back row, finishing with a team-high 19 digs and three service aces. Austin added 13 digs and two aces, while senior Abbie Chatman contributed nine digs and three aces of her own.
As a team, LeMoyne Owen finished with 57 kills, 52 assists, 69 digs, 15 blocks, and 11 service aces.
The Lady Magicians' offensive production proved crucial, as they held a 57-43 advantage in kills and outhit Central State .163 to .147.
After splitting the opening two sets, LeMoyne Owen displayed its composure in a tightly contested third frame, edging Central State 26-24 to take a 2-1 advantage. The Marauders responded by claiming the fourth set, forcing a decisive fifth.
But with the match hanging in the balance, the Lady Magicians saved their sharpest execution for the biggest moment.
LOC erupted offensively in the fifth set, recording nine kills on 21 attempts with just one attacking error, producing an outstanding .381 hitting percentage. The Lady Magicians closed out the deciding frame 15-11, sending the Homecoming crowd into celebration.
The victory improved LeMoyne-Owen's overall record to 4-28 and marked the program's first SIAC win of the season.
More importantly, the performance demonstrated the Lady Magicians' ability to respond to adversity, compete under pressure, and finish when the moment demanded it.
For a team that has continued to battle throughout the season, Saturday's victory was more than just another mark in the win column. It was a testament to the resilience, growth, and determination that have defined the Lady Magicians' journey.
Up Next: Lady Magicians Hit the Road for Final Away Matches
With Homecoming weekend in the books, LeMoyne Owen will now turn its attention to its final road trip of the regular season.
The Lady Magicians will travel to Wilberforce, Ohio, on Friday, October 30, for a rematch against Central State University at 6:00 p.m.
The following afternoon, Saturday, October 31, LOC will head to Frankfort, Kentucky, to face Kentucky State University at 1:00 p.m.
These two contests will mark the Lady Magicians' final away matches of the season, giving LeMoyne Owen an opportunity to build on its Homecoming success and continue gaining momentum down the stretch.
After proving they could deliver under the bright lights of Homecoming, the Lady Magicians will look to take that same confidence, intensity, and determination on the road.
The message heading into the final road trip is simple: the magic doesn't stop in Memphis.
