COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Wildcats return to action for the second time of the weekend in just over 13 hours from when they left it Friday night. Fort Valley State didn't let the short turnaround time effect them as it swept past Benedict College, 3-0, and completed a perfect weekend swing of matches through Columbia.

Leading by four late in the opening set, Antonique Coleman blocked a pair and Benaye Kyle downed a kill for a 24-16 lead and finished it at 25-19. The Wildcats posted the first three second-set points and never trailed as they built an 18-10 advantage before a Kyle winner ended it at 25-15. Tied at 11 in the third set, FVSU put nine of the next 10 points on the scoreboard for a 20-12 advantage, before three home attack errors completed the match, 25-15.

The FVSU victory was its third-straight and snapped a three-match losing streak against Benedict (7-4/3-4 SIAC). The Wildcats (5-2/4-2 SIAC) also ended a four-match losing streak in Columbia against the Tigers with the first win since taking a 3-2 final on Oct. 25 of 2018.

FVSU started the weekend with an evening match in Columbia with a 3-1 victory at Allen University (link)

Leading the way for the win, FVSU hit a solid .317 with 41 kills over 101 swings.

Caytlyn Sanford powered 14 kills without an error in 24 attacks at a .583 rate. Dakotah Holmes also reach double figure in kills with 12, hit .385 and added nine digs. Kyle downed seven kills and had 10 digs on defense. Along with six blocks in the match, Coleman hit four kills in nine attacks (.444).

Laiani McCullough handed out 27 of the team's assists to go with a trio of service aces and six digs. Jahyra Thomas chipped in seven assists and five digs. Sarah Rosario led the back row with 18 digs.

FVSU travels next to Macon for the rematch against Wesleyan College on Wednesday evening (Oct. 9) in a 6 p.m. match.

-Wildcats-