Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Lela Curry, 5-foot-10 setter from Dutchtown High School; majors kinesiology and psychology.
- Kayden Lawrence, 5-foot-10 outside hitter; plans to major in biology; senior stats: 96 kills, 62 digs, 47 aces.
- Jasbrille Veal, 5-foot-11 middle hitter from Plano Senior High School; 88 kills, 62 blocks; major computer science.
- Kacie Reign McLendon-Johnson, 6-foot-2 middle/opposite hitter from Independence High School; major social work.
- Lady Tigers finished 16-11 overall, lost SIAC semifinal to Fort Valley State; Orange and Blue scrimmage Aug 28; season opens Sept 1.
SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University head volleyball coach Roselidah Obunaga has announced the additions of five new student-athletes to the Lady Tigers roster for the 2026 season.
Obunaga will welcome Lela Curry, Kayden Lawrence, Jasbrielle Veal, Kacie Reign McLendon-Johnson, Anaya Yates and Faith Woods to the program this fall.
We are bringing in six student athletes to strengthen the team. I am looking forward to see how they merge with returners during preseason as we prepare for the start of the fall season,” said Obunaga.
Two of the newcomers are from the state of Georgia and two of the signees are from North Carolina while the remaining two hail from Texas and Tennessee.
Lela Curry is a setter and joins the team by way of Dutchtown High School in McDonough Georgia. Standing at 5-foot-10, Curry plans to major in kinesiology/psychology.
Kayden Lawrence is a 5’10” outside hitter who plans to major in biology. During her senior year at East Mecklenburg High School in Mint Hill, North Carolina, Lawrence tallied 96 kills, 62 digs, 47 aces, 18 blocks and ten assists in 93 sets.
Jasbrille Veal hails from Plano, Texas and attended Plano Senior High School. During the 2025 season, the 5-foot-11 middle hitter tallied 88 kills and 62 blocks in 92 sets. She plans to major in computer science.
Kacie Reign McLendon-Johnson stands at 6-foot-2 and plays middle hitter/opposite hitter. She attended Independence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina and plans to major in social work.
Anaya Yates graduated from Landmark Christian School in Atlanta, Georgia. As a senior, she played in 78 sets and finished the year with 143 kills, 78 blocks, 37 aces, 61 digs and 12 assists. The 5-foot-11 middle hitter will major in biology.
Rounding out the newcomers is Faith Woods, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter/setter from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Woods attended Silverdale Baptist Academy where she had 232 kills, 47 aces, 30 blocks, 58 digs and two assists her senior season. She will study business at SSU.
Last season, Savannah State lost to Fort Valley State in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship semifinals and ended their season with a 16-11 overall and 11-8 conference record. The 16 victories set a new single season record that was set by the 2024 team, who won 15 matches.
The Lady Tigers will play their annual Orange and Blue scrimmage on August 28 and will open the regular season on the road at Brewton-Parker on September 1.
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