James Wood grad Ahakuelo wins volleyball conference title

James Wood High School graduate and setter Paige Ahakuelo continued her impressive freshman volleyball campaign this past weekend, helping lead Delaware State to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament championship on Sunday.

Ahakuelo and the Hornets (17-13, 11-4 MEAC) defeated Howard (23-6, 14-0 MEAC) in five sets in the conference championship match, winning the match with the set scores of 26-24, 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-7, and ending Howard’s 17-match win streak.

Ahakuelo finished Sunday’s match with 31 assists, six of which came in the fifth and final set, and four digs. With the win, Delaware State clinched a berth to the NCAA Tournament and will find out its seeding during the selection show on Dec. 1.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, Ahakuelo earned MEAC Rookie of the Year honors and made the conference’s All-Rookie team. She leads the Hornets with 546 assists and is sixth in the conference in that category.

Ahakuelo won two state titles with the James Wood volleyball team in 2022 and 2023.