MOBILE, Ala. – Fort Valley State University Women's Volleyball (24-4) outlasted Savannah State University (16-11) in a five-set battle in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals to advance to the championship match.

FVSU opened strong with a 25-18 win in the first set. The Wildcats struck early with back-to-back points, then pulled ahead 6-2 behind a three-point run on the serve of Reagan Mann. Mann later returned to the service line to spark a five-point surge that pushed the lead to 17-11. Benaye Kyle sealed the set with a kill.

Savannah State answered with a 25-21 victory in the second set. The Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 lead and extended it to 8-1 after another four-point run. FVSU continued to control the pace, building a 13-7 advantage, but the Tigers responded with an 11-1 run to take set point and claimed the frame on an error.

The Tigers also took the third set, 25-19. FVSU again started fast with a 4-1 edge, and after early three-point runs from both teams, held an 8-7 lead. Savannah State, however, caught fire with a 7-1 run to go up 21-15 and held on for the set win.

With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats dominated the fourth set 25-18. FVSU jumped ahead with a four-point run on the serve of Sarah Rosario and later outscored the Tigers 7-1 to build a 21-14 cushion. Dakotah Holmes hammered down the set-winning kill to force a decisive fifth.

Fort Valley State finished the job with a convincing 15-9 win in the final frame. The Wildcats surged ahead 12-4 after a commanding 9-1 stretch. Savannah State responded with a four-point run, but Imani Stokes closed the match with a kill.

Holmes powered the Wildcat offense with a standout 23 kills on .328 hitting, adding 14 digs for a double-double. Kyle followed with 20 kills and 13 digs for a double-double of her own. Stokes added 12 kills on .364 hitting. Morgan Hebert fueled the attack with 45 assists and 11 digs, also recording a double-double.

Defensively, FVSU placed four players in double-digit digs: Holmes (14), Rosario (13), Kyle (13), and Hebert (11). Stokes led the blocking effort with three block assists, while Brooke Matthews contributed the lone solo block of the match.

Fort Valley State advances to the SIAC Tournament Championship to face West Division No. 1 seed Spring Hill College. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. ET.