FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Wildcats claimed their first postseason ticket in 16 years last Friday night. For the first time in 16 years, Fort Valley State prepares for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Tournament.
Starting last week in a three-way tie for one of the two final spots, the Wildcats left no doubt if it would claim one of the SIAC East top-four positions. On the road, FVSU swept past East Division leader Albany State, 3-0, Tuesday evening, before it outlasted Clark Atlanta, 3-2, and sealed its best finish since 2008.
FVSU has not only won its most matches since 2008 with a 14-7 overall record, but it recorded a 12-7 mark in the SIAC East for the No. 3 seed of the four qualifying Division teams. In fact, the Wildcat winning record is the first one since 2008's final mark of 19-14.
"It was extremely big for us to finish strong because we knew the matches concluding our regular season were important to us making the tournament," stressed FVSU first-year head coach Chymaine Guinyard. "We knew that when we played the teams earlier in the season that they were very close matches and were going to be very competitive, but we had to really look at the small details in the game that made the difference in why we weren't able to successfully get the win. We also knew and talked about beforehand that going into their home gyms was going to be a very intense and that it was going to be us versus the team and their crowd but we had to trust in what we studied in film from the first meeting and implemented in practice would be the key for us in taking the wins."
FVSU's SIAC Tournament started last week with its two needed upset road wins to qualify. The Wildcats passed both of those road tests and now head to Thursday's SIAC Tournament Quarterfinal Round in Albany State's HPER Complex.
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SIAC Volleyball Tournament
Nov. 21-23
Albany, Ga. - HPER Complex
SIAC Tournament Information
FVSU Roster
FVSU Schedule
FVSU Season Stats
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No. 3 East seed FVSU opens its drive for the SIAC crown against No. 2 West seed Lane College (11-17/10-9 SIAC West) in a 4 p.m. first serve. No. 1 East seed Albany State (17-9/15-4 SIAC East) plays No. 4 West seed Kentucky State (9-13/9-10 SIAC West) at 7 p.m. on the same side of the bracket.
On the top half of the Tournament bracket, No. 3 West seed Central State (13-19/10-9 SIAC West) takes on No. 2 East seed Savannah State (14-8/13-6 SIAC East) in the 10 a.m. morning opening match. No. 4 East seed Clark Atlanta (14-13/11-8 SIAC East) takes on No. 1 West seed Spring Hill College (21-7/19-0 SIAC West) at 1 p.m.
The Wildcats hold a 5-5 record against the other seven teams on the year. FVSU swept Lane College, 3-0, on Oct. 11 in the only meeting. FVSU prevailed over Central State, 3-1, but lost to Spring Hill College, 3-0, and Kentucky State, 3-2, in the other Crossover contests.
Against the East opponents, FVSU split the season series, one game apiece, against each of Albany State, Savannah State and Clark Atlanta.
The 2024 Wildcat team had to overcome more than a few issues to perform to the high level it has the entire regular season.
Only two weeks before the season started, FVSU welcomed head coach Guinyard to The Valley. The veteran director has to quickly not only learn the campus, but more importantly not only the few returners to the squad, but the new transfers and freshmen as well.
"It's meant a lot to do so much in a short time frame, especially when I had to come in and hit the ground running," pointed out Guinyard. "I had to establish and build a new foundation and give the team what my non-negotiables -- High Energy, Clear and Consistent Communication, and Discipline. I needed to keep those areas in the forefront when I sat down with each player individually to hear and receive their expectations and what I can do to get them there but also giving them my expectation of where I see I need them. Also, seeing what leadership skills each of them bring, allowing them to lead in ways where I, as a coach, don't always have to step in (accountability within). But, ultimately bringing a fresh environment with a will that I'm giving 100% and I want the young ladies to do the same as well.
Guinyard worked her coaching magic from the start with a roster of eight returners, four transfers and four freshmen, who only one had ever played for her in the past.
The Wildcat group grew together more and more as the season went on until it posted three more wins from last year's 11-16, which at the time was the most wins in a season in 10 years.
"A key to my success is knowing that I have a great support system of family and mentors behind me," explained the FVSU coach. "Also, having a group of young ladies, who are wanting to be successful day in-and-out and knowing the abilities they possess, we were able to take this program to the next level."
Now, the team turns its attention to the upcoming SIAC Tournament, a first for anyone associated with the team or program in over a decade-and-a-half.
"Our goals and expectations for this week in the SIAC Tournament is taking it one match at a time. We know we are considered the underdogs, so still being level-headed and knowing/trusting in our IQ, skills and abilities that got us here, is still expected to be shown," said Guinyard. "Executing the details we highlighted from film for ourselves first and then on the opponents, we need to ensure that first ball contact for us is at the level we need it to be to be effective on offense and being able to defend consistently after."
The Wildcats are now on new territory as they head to the postseason. Whether it raises the trophy, enjoys a win or two or only battles a single match, FVSU are now creating a new winning culture at The Valley once again.
"It feels good to have been able to create a (new and winning) culture and off of it, we reap the opportunity to see the talent get to postseason. This was a goal from the beginning and a constant reminder every time we stepped in practice or playing that we had something to work towards and that we weren't supposed to be here by prediction," finished the first-year Wildcat coach.
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