FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Fort Valley State University Women's Volleyball (3-0) defeated Claflin University (0-6), 3-1, on Wednesday evening.

The Wildcats came out strong in the opening frame, erasing an early 5-1 deficit with a six-point run behind the serve of Jalena Thompson to take an 8-7 lead. FVSU added another six-point swing at the 10th point with Benaye Kyle at the line and closed the set with a final six-point burst, powered by Dakotah Holmes' serving, to claim a decisive 25-13 win.

Set two went back and forth before Claflin pulled ahead with a six-point run at the 12th point to take control. The Panthers held off a late Wildcat push to even the match with a 25-21 win.

FVSU bounced back in the third set, stringing together an 8-3 scoring stretch midway through the frame. Ce'Mone Jose sealed the 25-21 victory with a kill to put the Wildcats back in front, 2-1.

In the fourth set, the Wildcats broke away at the 15th point with a four-point run sparked by Naoma Yancey's serve. FVSU closed the match with three straight points, including a Panther attack error, to secure the 25-22 win and the 3-1 match victory.

Kyle paced the Wildcats with a double-double of 15 kills and 11 digs, while Holmes added one of her own with 11 kills and 16 digs. Imani Stokes chipped in with seven kills.

Defensively, Kyle, Yancey, and Sarah Rosario each tallied 16 digs. Reagan Mann directed the offense with 39 of the team's 44 assists and also added two block assists. Jose anchored the net with two solo blocks and two block assists to lead the defensive effort at the net.

The Wildcats are back in action on Thursday, Sept. 18, when they travel to Agnes Scott College for a 6 p.m. first serve.