SHREVEPORT, La. — The Fisk University Lady Bulldogs volleyball team made history by capturing its first conference tournament championship as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), defeating Dillard University in four sets to claim the HBCU Athletic Conference title.
The Lady Bulldogs overcame a narrow opening-set loss to defeat Dillard 24-26, 25-17, 25-23 and 25-17, securing a historic victory for the Nashville university and earning a place in the NAIA national postseason tournament.
The championship capped a record-breaking season for Fisk, which improved to 30 victories, surpassing the previous school record of 29 wins established last year.
The victory also extended the Lady Bulldogs’ remarkable winning streak to 24 consecutive matches, highlighting one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.
Under the leadership of head coach Jessica Enderle, a three-time HBCU Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Fisk has emerged as a dominant force in conference volleyball. The Lady Bulldogs dropped just two sets against conference opponents throughout the season, demonstrating remarkable consistency on both offense and defense.
Against Dillard, Fisk relied on a balanced attack and strong defensive play to overcome an early deficit.
Setter Kaia Barnett directed the offense with 44 assists and added 11 digs, completing an impressive two-match stretch in which she totaled 94 assists.
Shelby Chamblin delivered a standout performance with 20 kills and 10 digs, providing the offensive firepower needed to keep the Lady Bulldogs in control during the final three sets.
Sophomore Chennille McClellan contributed 10 kills, while Trinity Stevenson anchored the defense with a team-high 15 digs.
The championship-clinching moment came when McClellan and Barnett combined for a block that sealed the fourth set and secured Fisk’s place in school history.
The victory represents another milestone for Fisk athletics and adds to the growing accomplishments of the university’s women’s sports programs.
For Fisk, one of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities, the championship also brings national recognition to a program that has steadily raised its competitive profile under Enderle’s leadership.
Both Fisk and Dillard earned berths in the NAIA postseason tournament, giving the conference two representatives in the national championship field.
The Lady Bulldogs will now turn their attention to the national tournament, with their first-round opponent and destination scheduled to be announced during the NAIA selection watch party on November 16.
Opening-round competition begins November 21.
With a school-record 30 victories, a 24-match winning streak and the program’s first NAIA-era conference tournament championship, Fisk enters the postseason with momentum and an opportunity to continue its historic run on the national stage.
