COLUMBUS, OH – Fort Valley State University men's volleyball (18-10) concluded its historic season with a 3-0 loss to top-seeded Long Beach State University (28-3) in the NCAA National Collegiate Championship Quarterfinals on Thursday evening.

LBSU claimed the match with set scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-16.

Long Beach jumped out to an early lead with a quick 3-0 start, but the Wildcats responded with a kill from Jaxon Hicks to get on the board. FVSU tied it at 4-4 with a kill from Isaiah Fedd following a Long Beach error. The two teams traded points in the early going, but after a 6-6 tie, LBSU went on a 3-0 run to take a 9-6 lead. Fedd ended the run with another kill, and the back-and-forth continued until the set was tied again at 16-16. Long Beach then strung together a decisive six-point run that gave them control. FVSU fought off set point with a four-point rally, narrowing the gap to 24-21, but a final LBSU kill ended the set.

In the second set, Fort Valley opened the scoring on a Long Beach service error. However, LBSU answered with a four-point run before an attack error stopped the momentum. Fedd added a kill to keep it close at 4-3. The Wildcats stayed within striking distance, trailing by no more than five points for most of the set. A late three-point surge by LBSU extended their lead to 23-15, and two straight points closed the frame, 25-16.

LBSU scored first in the third set, and the teams exchanged service errors to even the score at 2-2. The Sharks pulled ahead with three straight points, but a kill from Fedd broke the run. The Wildcats went on a short 3-0 run to close the gap to 7-6. Both teams continued to trade points, with Long Beach maintaining a steady three-point lead until another small run at 16-13 gave them breathing room. A four-point burst sealed the set and the match, 25-16.

Fedd led the Wildcats offensively with 14 kills on a .357 hitting percentage. Hicks and Taviian Martin followed with three kills each. Oshane Farquharson dished out 15 assists and added a block assist on defense.

Fedd also paced the team in digs with four. Martin contributed the team's lone solo block, while Rashaun Wright, Raheem Thomas, Farquharson, and Martin each added a block assist.

Head coach Larry Wrather reflected on the team's journey: "I'm proud as a coach of what we did today and what we accomplished this season."

FVSU graduates 10 seniors and now turns its attention to reloading for next season.