MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Fort Valley State University Women's Volleyball (12-3, 8-1 SIAC) closed out the SIAC Crossover with a hard-fought five-set victory over Tuskegee University (10-8, 4-7 SIAC) on Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats took the opening set 25-20 after overcoming an early 3-0 deficit. Tuskegee led for most of the frame before FVSU surged with a 6-1 run to tie it at 15. From there, the Wildcats caught fire, outscoring the Golden Tigers 8-2 down the stretch and sealing the win on a
Dakotah Holmes kill.
Set two went Tuskegee's way, 25-22. In a back-and-forth battle, FVSU led 22-18 before TU rallied for seven straight points to steal the set.
The Golden Tigers carried that momentum into the third, taking it 26-24 in another tight contest. Both teams traded runs, including four-point bursts on each side. After Tuskegee built a 24-19 lead, the Wildcats fought back to even it at 24 before TU closed with two straight points to go up 2-1 in the match.
Facing a deficit, FVSU responded with authority in the fourth set. Behind five straight points on the serve of
Sarah Rosario, the Wildcats took control early and never looked back. They dominated throughout and clinched the set 25-14 on a
Benaye Kyle kill.
With the match tied at two, the decisive fifth set saw both teams battling point-for-point until a crucial five-point run gave FVSU a 12-6 advantage. The Wildcats held firm and finished off the Golden Tigers 15-11, with the final point coming on a Tuskegee service error.
Kyle led the Wildcats with 17 kills, while Holmes added 15. Both hitters posted double-doubles with 11 and 15 digs, respectively.
Reagan Mann directed the offense with 33 assists, and
Morgan Hebert chipped in 11.
Defensively,
Naoma Yancey anchored the back row with 21 digs to lead the team. Holmes added 15, Rosario 13, and Kyle 11, giving FVSU four players in double-digit digs. At the net,
Imani Stokes was a force with eight block assists and a solo block, while
Brooke Matthews, Kyle, and Hebert each added four blocks apiece.
Fort Valley State returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 16, when they travel to Claflin University for a 6 p.m. matchup.
