CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Fort Valley State University Men's Volleyball (1-0) kicked off the 2026 season with a four-set road victory over Queens University of Charlotte (0-1).

Queens took the opening set 25-19. The Royals struck first before Fort Valley State responded with back-to-back points. A Queens three-point run created early separation, but a Royals service error tied the frame at 5-5, followed immediately by an Isaiah Fedd service ace for a 6-5 Wildcats lead. The teams traded points until Queens used a pair of decisive four-point surges to pull away and close the set.

Fort Valley State answered with a strong 25-20 win in set two. Much like the opener, Queens scored first, but the Wildcats responded with consecutive points. Fort Valley State built an 8-4 cushion behind the serve of Jeremyah Gaston, then sealed the set with a four-point run behind Logan Rogers at the service line before a Queens error delivered the 25th point.

The Wildcats battled to a 25-23 win in set three. Queens opened with two straight points before Isaiah Fedd sparked a three-point run to give Fort Valley State a 3-2 edge. The Royals responded with a five-point surge to take a 9-6 lead, but the Wildcats closed strong, outscoring Queens 8-3 down the stretch and sealing the set on an Isaiah Fedd kill.

Fort Valley State finished the match with a convincing 25-17 victory in the fourth set. A Queens service error gave the Wildcats the first point, followed by a brief Royals push before Fort Valley State answered with a three-point run to take a 4-2 lead. The Wildcats extended the advantage behind another dominant service stretch from Isaiah Fedd, building an 18-11 gap before Isaiah Fedd closed the match with another kill.

Isaiah Fedd powered the offense with 18 kills while hitting .406. Taviian Martin and Logan Rogers followed with nine kills each, hitting .400 and .278, respectively. Jeremyah Gaston directed the attack with 42 of the team's 51 assists, while adding six kills and a .333 hitting percentage.

Defensively, the Wildcats recorded 15 total blocks. Taviian Martin led the net presence with two of the team's three solo blocks and four block assists, while Jeremyah Gaston added four block assists of his own. Constantine Ononye anchored the back row with nine digs, while Jeremyah Gaston and Isaiah Fedd added seven digs apiece.

Fort Valley State returns to action Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. PST / 10:00 p.m. EST on the road at UCLA.