NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 25, 2026)--Tonight when the Morgan State volleyball team opens the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) season on the road at Norfolk State, the contest will have an additional meaning for Virginia natives, Jada Williams and Tyrah Weems.
 
The MEAC opener will also mark the final return to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the two seniors during their undergraduate careers.
 
"Locations, gyms, fans, etc. aren't really a factor in my game," said Morgan State senior outside hitter and co leader, Jada Williams, who is from Fredericksburg. "I come in with the same competitive mindset every time, but of course, it's definitely exciting to be back in my home state and have family and friends there."
 
A native of Hampton Roads, Tyrah Weems is also looking forward to returning home to play one final time in her state.
 
"In terms of emotions, playing at home one more time in my career, I am feeling very excited and determined going into our match," said Weems. "I have a couple of family members and friends coming to the game, and it's really special getting to start this senior conference season out with their support and encouragement. Driving through my hometown on the way to NSU's campus is definitely nostalgic and heartwarming." 
 
With what turned out to be a tough non-conference slate now in the rearview and Friday's match marking the start of the MEAC season, Morgan State is focused on getting off to a strong start in league play and building on that.
 
"As MEAC play starts, our team is focusing on a new chapter," said Williams. "Any mistakes, losses, or adversity we faced during preseason are behind us. We're using everything we experienced to learn and grow, but we're also ready to go hard in conference play."
 
"As we shift into MEAC play, a big focus has definitely been our "Start, Stop, and Continue" reflection. What do we need to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing from pre-season and non-conference play, and how will it help us be the best competitors we can be?" said Weems. "This reflection allows us to think deeply about how to support ourselves and our teammates best. But overall, every single lift, film, and training session is a grind to get 1% better every day, and that mentality allows us to have active growth mindsets each and every time we enter the gym." 
 
The Bears enter the contest holding a 26-14 all-time advantage over the Spartans. However, Morgan State has lost three of the last four meetings and has not won in Norfolk since the 2018 season, having dropped the last six matches on Norfolk State's home floor.
 
"We're not focused on the loss last year at Norfolk. It happened, but we also won against them last year, so neither one is important to us right now," said Williams. "Volleyball is a game of momentum and preparation. Our focus is on how we can show up as the most prepared team and execute when it matters."
 
Said Weems, "This week we've been focused most on how to improve from our other games so far this season instead of comparing to last season's match at NSU or the win against them at home in Hill [Field House]. Our focus to be successful during this match will be putting what we've been working on consistently all week into practice as well as trusting our inner confidence, energy, and each other throughout the entire match."
 
After watching them both play for four seasons now, it's hard to fathom either one of them wearing a uniform other than Morgan State. Especially in green and gold. But that very well could have been the case.
 
In high school, Weems was recruited by Norfolk State and Williams reached out to the Spartans. But in the end, The National Treasure would become their home.
 
"I was recruited by Norfolk State in high school during my recruitment process, but I truly fell in love with Morgan State's community and athletic and academic opportunities and programs, and the further distance from home," said Weems. 
 
"In high school, I did reach out to Norfolk State, but ultimately I wasn't recruited," said Williams. "I'm honestly so grateful that everything worked out the way it did and that I ended up at my forever home here at Morgan."
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate and certificate programs. 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.