DUE WEST, S.C. – The Wildcats showed flashes of what they can be this season, but it was not enough in the season opener. Fort Valley State battled back to take the third set and saw its fourth-set lead slip away as host Erskine College held on for the 3-1 men's volleyball win.

After dropping the opening sets (22-25 and 19-25) and behind 16-15 in set three, the Wildcats (0-1) ran off five-straight points with three coming on Jaxon Hicks kills. FVSU increased the difference to five before it won 25-22 and forced the fourth set.

FVSU went out to an early 8-5 lead on an Isaiah Fedd ace, but Erskine reversed the momentum for its own advantage at 16-11. The Wildcats cut the deficit to three on three occasions, including 22-19 and 24-21, before bowing out 25-22.

On the day, Fedd paced the FVSU attack with 15 kills, .276 hit percentage, two aces, seven digs and three blocks. Hicks was right behind with 12 winners and a .292 percentage. Justin Yates handed out 39 assists to go with five kills and six aces.

Jason Sall produced 14 kills and six digs to lead the Fleet.

FVSU plays a second road match on Tuesday evening, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. against Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga.



 

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