BALTIMORE, Md. (May 31, 2026)--Seven Morgan State student-athletes in recent graduate Daniela Ferreira and returnees Hanna Nemeth, Tyrah Weems, Jada Williams, Aubrey Wilson, Isabelle Brown and Tameary Wardlaw, along with head coach Xiomara Ortiz will participate in the 3^rd Annual Ditsala International Volleyball Cup June 1-13, which will take place in Gaborone, Botswana.
 
Bring It Promotions, in partnership with the Botswana Volleyball Federation, is pleased to bring this experience back for the third consecutive year. The trip is designed to help improve the level of volleyball in both Botswana and the Southern African region. In addition to improving their volleyball skills, student-athletes from the United States will have the opportunity to visit local schools and promote volleyball as a sport for young athletes in Botswana. 
 
"First and foremost, I would like to thank President Wilson and Vice President/Director of Athletics Dena Freeman-Patton for their support and advocacy in securing funding for this incredible opportunity," said Ortiz.
 
"This experience will provide our student-athletes with much more than international competition. They will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture, broaden their global perspectives, and represent Morgan State University on an international stage. The tournament continues to grow each year, showcasing high-level volleyball competitions, and we are honored to represent both Morgan State University and HBCUs as ambassadors for our sport."
 
The 2026 tour will run from June 1-13 with stops in Gaborone, Francistown and Kasane and culminates with a visit to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The actual tournament takes place June 4-6 in Gaborone.
 
16 student-athletes from eight institutions, including five Historically Black College and Universities will compete in the 3^rd Annual Ditsala Cup. Participants include Morgan State University, Team HBCU, and the Botswana and Zambia National Teams during the tournament. In addition, there will be two exhibition matches between the Men's National Teams of Zambia and Botswana.
 
Last year, recent Morgan State graduate Mikaela Esparza competed in the 2025 Ditsala Cup and helped the HBCU Yellow Team claim the championship title over Team BIP.
 
The group will also complete several youth clinics in the cities of Gaborone, Francistown, and Kasane. Other highlights of the trip include: practice with visiting National Team, US Embassy visit, culture learning and volleyball clinic, visit Mokolodi and Khama Game Reserves, river cruise safari on the Chobe River, and a trip to Victoria Falls.
 
"Our players are excited to compete, but they are equally enthusiastic about giving back through teaching volleyball skills to young athletes in Africa, sharing their passion for the game, and embracing the many cultural experiences this journey will offer," said Ortiz.
 
"This international tour is another example of Morgan State University's commitment to providing transformational opportunities for student-athletes. It reflects the continued growth of our volleyball program and our dedication to enhancing the overall student-athlete experience."
 
Morgan State senior middle blocker Jada Williams is looking forward to experiencing the international stage, as well as the Botswana culture with her teammates.
 
"This opportunity is really special to me, and I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of it. I get to travel the world playing the sport I love alongside people I care about, and I couldn't be more grateful for that experience," said Williams. "I'm looking forward to competing on an international stage and being immersed in the culture of Botswana. It's an experience that I'm excited to learn from both on and off the court."
 
Ditsala Cup Media Contact, Denise Thompson contributed to portions of this release.
 
2026 Ditsala Coaches:
Alexis Austin, Texas Southern
Xiomara Ortiz, Morgan State
Nicholas Turko, Former Penn State Volleyball Player
Bonita Wise, Former Pro Volleyball Athlete, Coach of Rancho VB Club
 
2026 Ditsala Volleyball Student-Athletes:
See this link for the full list: 
https://bringitusa.com/ditsalainternationalcup/teams/hbcu-team-2026/
 
2026 Schedule:
All times are listed in the local time of Botswana and EST time.
 
June 4: 
4:00pm/10:00am EST: Morgan State University vs. Botswana National Team
6:00pm/12noon EST: Team HBCU vs. Zambia National Team
8:00pm/2:00am EST: Botswana Men's National Team vs. Zambia Men's National Team
 
June 5:
4:00pm/10:00am EST: Morgan State University vs. Zambia National Team
6:00pm/12noon EST: Team HBCU vs. Zambia National Team
8:000pm/2:00am EST: Botswana Men's National Team vs. Zambia Men's National Team
 
June 6:
4:30pm/10:30 EST: 3rd and 4th Place Match
6:30pm/12:30pm EST: Championship Match
 
All matches will be live-streamed here. In addition to the livestream matches, you can follow the tour at: https://bringitusa.com/ditsalainternationalcup/
 
 
ABOUT THE DITSALA INTERNATIONAL CUP
It is a premier women's volleyball tournament uniting collegiate student-athletes from the United States with national teams from across Southern Africa. Hosted by Bring It Promotions (BIP) in collaboration with the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF). The vision for the Ditsala International Cup was born in 2018, following a landmark visit by Howard University to Botswana and Zimbabwe. This historic trip laid the foundation for a tournament that would celebrate cultural exchange, athletic excellence, and international collaboration. In 2024, Howard University returned to Botswana to participate in the inaugural Ditsala International Tournament. Demonstrating exceptional performance and leadership, Howard University emerged as the first-ever tournament champion, solidifying their legacy in the competition's history. The 2025 edition of the tournament saw the inclusion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which fielded two teams, along with two mixed BIP Teams. The HBCU Yellow Team claimed the championship title, further elevating the tournament's competitive spirit and impact. Looking ahead to 2026, the tournament will once again feature two HBCU teams. Additionally, the event will expand to include more national teams from the Southern African Zone VI region, marking a significant step in the tournament's growth and regional integration.
 
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Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.