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Women's Volleyball

A New Era

2021 VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON PROSPECTUS

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Despite unprecedented obstacles, Savannah State women's volleyball has flourished over the last two seasons. Undoubtedly, a new era has dawned in the program's history.
 
The 2019 season saw the instillation of a new interim head coach, Roselidah Obunaga, who brought Olympic volleyball experience to a struggling program that only registered three wins during the 2018 season. The 2019 season also marked a return to NCAA Division II and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) for the program.
 
Following 20 tough years as a Division I program and eight years in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Savannah State opened the new D-II era with its best overall record since the 2009 season, finishing 9-18 and 6-11 in the SIAC. The six conference wins earned them a championship berth, garnering the No. 4 seed in the SIAC East Division—their first appearance in a post-season in a nearly a decade. 
 
During the 2019 post-season run, the Lady Tigers earned the program's first SIAC Championship Tournament win, beating Central State 3-2 in a quarterfinal game. The program's immediate improvement hailed the beginning of something new for Savannah State volleyball. Obunaga was named the head coach in February of 2020. It was an easy decision for Director of Athletics Opio Mashariki.


 
The success during the 2019 season, however, was dimmed by the tragic loss of Karissa Tatum. While evacuating for Hurricane Dorian before the season, Tatum and teammate Liz Ortiz were involved in a car accident. Tatum passed in the hospital and Ortiz missed the season due to injuries. The team honored Tatum throughout the season, placing her jersey on an empty seat on the bench and marking "Do It For KG" on their shoes.
 
Just ahead of the 2020 season, Obunaga brought in fresh recruits, her first class, and was ready to make another post-season run. But the pandemic put a hold on the season as the SIAC cancelled all games and championships. Obunaga adjusted. She had her team focus on academics, staying healthy and keeping an eye towards volleyball.
 
She held virtual study halls and team meetings and encouraged positive mindsets. The team did virtual film meetings where Obunaga strengthened their volleyball knowledge. The team bonded as a result becoming a more cohesive unit.
 
By the spring of 2021, despite the SIAC cancelling fall championships, the team was able to play a few games. The Lady Tigers played two games against fellow SIAC opponent Benedict College, winning both. (The matches counted as games in Savannah State's record book and with the NCAA, but not as conference meets.)
 
The time with her new recruits in practice in the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2020 allowed for Obunaga to install her system and get the newcomers acquainted with her coaching style—a pivotal advantage for the Lady Tigers.
 
Heading into a 23-game schedule this fall that includes 16 SIAC games, Obunaga will field six redshirt-freshman, seven true freshman and three seniors. The returning freshman are sophomores in the classroom after receiving a redshirt from the NCAA for the 2020 season which was cancelled due to COVID. 
 
The Lady Tigers will look to their senior hitters, Imani Williamson, Jedidiah Daniels and Jeilynn Brown to lead this coming season while the group of true freshmen get acquainted with collegiate volleyball—some getting an opportunity to start in their first year.
 
Williamson, Daniels and Brown were all named to the preseason All-SIAC First Team in a preseason poll. Savannah State was voted to finish No. 4 in the SIAC East.
 
Through two unprecedented seasons, Obunaga and her squad have at every turn adapted, improvised and overcame. The 2021 season is an incredibly exciting time for Savannah State women's volleyball.
 
Look to see them in the post-season and at the top of the SIAC in short order. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Liz Ortiz

#1 Liz Ortiz

L/OH
5' 8"
Senior
Imani Williamson

#1 Imani Williamson

OH
5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
Jeilynn Brown

#10 Jeilynn Brown

OH
5' 9"
Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Liz Ortiz

#1 Liz Ortiz

5' 8"
Senior
L/OH
Imani Williamson

#1 Imani Williamson

5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
OH
Jeilynn Brown

#10 Jeilynn Brown

5' 9"
Redshirt Senior
OH