Student Athletes Celebrate Centennial Homecoming with Wins

Homecoming comes only once a year at Southern University but this year was much more special, being the centennial homecoming celebrating a hundred years at Southern University in Baton Rouge. This is a time where alumni remember their roots and reunite under their alma mater. For the present members of the university, it is not just the festivities that entice alumni, but it is Southern athletics that tie everything together. The coaches embed their wisdom and hard work ethic into their players and for centennial homecoming; their dreams came to fruition. All of the fall sports carved their names in history to bring a r embrandt to the university when they captured wins at homecoming.
Beginning on Tuesday September 30 the women’s volleyball team picked a win against longtime rival, Grambling State University. Southern (2-1, 4-9) ended Grambling’s conclusion early, hitting a clean sweep with three sets after the 3-2 loss against University of Arkansas Pine Bluff the week before. Sophomore middle blocker, Leilani Lealaimatafao, gained 12 kills and 15.5 points, which attributed for the most kills and points on the team, but she only had six digs. Now Southern tries to climb into leadership status under the tutelage of Head Coach Vanessa Jacobs as they become second in the Western Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference under Texas Southern (3-0, 6-12) who is undefeated in the SWAC.
Once again on Friday, October 3, the women’s soccer team entered a lucky streak when they climbed heights as they ascended to capture another win against Alcorn State 3-0. Unfortunately due to travel to Mississippi, the soccer team missed the large festivities that occurred on the lasting days of homecoming, but came with more pride as they brought a win back to the program. At the beginning of the season, Head Coach Coutrnie Prather wanted the team to re-enter the SWAC tournament and it was not sighted due to the strict line of eight losses during the monstrous non-conference setup. After their victory against the Braves and the tie against Mississippi Valley State on Sunday October 5, Southern (2-0-1) is now fourth and closer to reach their goal to SWAC glory. At the game between the Alcorn Braves, returning from the bench, senior mid-fielder, Fabiola Parra and senior midfielder Jacquelin Almendarez scored a goal. Freshman forward Sydney Mitchell claimed her first goal between the nets as she set potentially gets better down the line.
At the ending of the festivities and the beginning of tailgate outrage was the football game against University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Southern (2-1, 3-3) emerging from a monumental loss from the Alcorn State channeled that energy into static energy that brought a win into A.W. Mumford Stadium on Saturday October 5, ending the centennial festivities but beginning a legacy of a young team and SWAC Champions back into the dogfight. Senior wide receiver, Reggie Travis, picked up 76 of his 156 yards from a pass play from freshman Austin Howard to attest for a touchdown in early play. Freshman defensive back, Danny Johnson, acquired a style from specialist Willie Quinn as he ran for 98 yards in the first quarter. At the end of an eventful night from such rivals of the SWAC, Southern won 56-31. They are half a game away from returning to their once earned first place marking in the Western Division of the SWAC behind last year’s underdog and d=undefeated in the West, Grambling State University (3-0, 3-3).
These student athletes brought honor back into their roots and could honestly say, during the centennial homecoming, we brought back victories to Southern University. These teams continue to climb higher as they try to clasp the highest honor in the SWAC, the trophy that shows the blood, sweat, tears, and work ethic of a team with the heart the challenge other hungry teams for such gold.