JACKSONvILLE, Fla. – The Wildcats were determined to get the Friday night win. After seeing its two-set lead evaporate, Fort Valley State would not be denied in the match-deciding set with five of the final six points and took away the 3-2 victory over host Edward Waters on the women's volleyball court.
Following the Tigers (6-13/6-6 SIAC East) tying the match at 2-2, the Wildcats started the fifth set with a 5-4 deficit, they made the key run of five-straight points for a 9-5 advantage. Edward Waters battled back to trail by only a single point, 10-9. After a home attack error, Benaye Kyle and Nia Mack had a combo block and the visitors added another point off a second Tiger attack error for a 13-9 score. The Tigers killed a point before Mack and Kyle killed back-to-back points and closed out the match with a 15-10 final tally.
FVSU went ahead by taking the opening two sets by 25-19 and 25-23 scores. EWU came back with the third and fourth sets in 25-22 and 25-17 finals and forced the fifth set.
With the victory, FVSU made it two-straight seasons with double-digit wins and are now 10-4 on the season. The Wildcats also improved to 8-4 in the SIAC East.
Kyle paced the FVSU attack with 16 kills to go with 18 digs for a double-double and three total blocks. Dakotah Holmes also hit double figures in kills with 12 along with eight digs and a block. Caytlyn Sanford chipped in seven kills, four digs and a block.
Antonique Coleman patrolled the front line with eight total blocks to go with five kills and two aces. Mack added two kills and three block assists, while both Laila Hilton and Brooke Matthews both chipped in three blocks apiece.
Laiani McCullough made it a second double-double Wildcat with 20 assists and 17 digs. Jahyra Thomas handed out 13 assists and 12 digs as the third double-double player. Sarah Rosario completed the honors with 15 digs, eight assists and three aces.
FVSU stays on the road where it will play on the east coast of Georgia on Monday night, Oct. 28, at Savannah State. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
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