FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Wildcats saw one slip away Friday evening. With a set lead, Fort Valley State saw a match-point fall away and then Savannah State seized the end of the match-deciding fifth set for the 3-2 women's volleyball final.
The Wildcats won the first and third sets decisively with 25-14 and 25-13 scores, while the visiting Tigers had their own similar score in the second, 25-15. After leading by as many as five points in the fourth set (20-15), FVSU held a 23-20 lead late. Savannah State ran off four in a row before FVSU answered with two tallies to bring about match-point, 25-24. The Tigers pushed the night to a fifth set with the next three points and 27-25 final.
With a 9-7 lead at the turn, FVSU saw the edge fade as Savannah State rallied for a 14-11 lead with seven of the next nine points. The Wildcats pushed back with two tallies to make it 14-13, before a bad home set gave the Tigers the final point (15-13) and win.
The two SIAC East team split the two matches of the week. FVSU (11-5/9-5 SIAC East) took a 3-1 decision on Tuesday night in Savannah. The Tigers improved to 10-7 overall and 8-5 in the Division.
Highlighting the night individually, FVSU senior setter Laiani McCullough reached the 1,500-career assist milestone. The Beaufort, S.C., native handed out 23 assists to give her 1,502 for her career. She also had seven digs, three kills and an ace.
Dakotah Holmes registered a double-double of 14 kills and 13 digs to go with three blocks, two assists and an ace. Benaye Kyle had her out double-double with 12 kills and 17 digs to go with two aces and a block.
Caytlyn Sanford chipped in nine kills and two digs, while Antonique Coleman posted eight blocks and six kills. Laila Hilton added three kills and two blocks and Brooke Matthews stopped five attacks.
Sarah Rosario sliced eight aces to go with 17 digs and four assists. Jahyra Thomas had nine assists, 10 digs, three aces and two kills.
FVSU returns to the HPE Arena on Saturday evening, Nov. 2. The Wildcats take on the Tigers of Edward Waters in a 6 p.m. first serve.
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