FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Fort Valley State University Men's Volleyball (1-6) fell in five sets to Barry University (5-2) Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers got off to a hot start in the opening set, outscoring the Wildcats 6-1 to take an early lead. Fort Valley State attempted to chip away with a pair of three-point runs, but Barry maintained control and claimed the first set, 25-20.

The Wildcats responded in the second set, jumping out to an early 3-1 advantage sparked by a kill from Isaiah Fedd. FVSU continued to build momentum, extending the lead to 10-7 after a 4-1 run. Fort Valley State pulled away late, using a five-point surge to take a commanding 21-12 lead, highlighted by a Jamari Griffin kill. Barry made a brief push with a three-point run, but a service error sealed a 25-17 set two victory for the Wildcats.

Barry opened the third set with four straight points to take a 4-0 lead. Griffin helped keep FVSU within striking distance, tying the set twice at 13 and 15. The Wildcats took their first lead at 19-17, and the remainder of the set went point-for-point before a Fedd slam capped a 25-23 win, giving Fort Valley State a 2-1 match advantage.

The fourth set was tightly contested early, with both teams trading points to knot the score at 2-2. The Wildcats briefly moved in front at 6-4 following a Barry attack error, but the Buccaneers answered to regain the lead at 7-6. Barry then went on a five-point run to pull ahead 13-8, and FVSU was unable to recover, falling 25-17 to force a deciding fifth set.

Fort Valley State struck first in the final set, but Barry quickly responded with a four-point run to take a 4-1 lead. The Buccaneers held the advantage until the Wildcats mounted a late rally, outscoring the visitors 7-1 to tie the set at 14-14. Barry closed the match with two straight points to secure the fifth set, 19-17.

Griffin led the Wildcat offense with 13 kills while hitting .379, while Fedd added 10 kills. Logan Rogers and Jaeden Barnes anchored the back row with 11 digs apiece. At the net, Taviian Martin led the defensive effort with six block assists and two solo blocks, accounting for half of the Wildcats' solo blocks. Rogers also contributed four block assists and a solo block.

The Wildcats return to action Friday, February 6, when they travel to Barton College for a 7 p.m. first serve.