FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Fort Valley State University women's volleyball team put together a competitive performance Friday evening at the Health and Physical Education Complex, battling the Albany State University Golden Rams in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) matchup. Despite falling 3-1 (17-25, 20-25, 25-23, 20-25), the Lady Wildcats displayed resilience, offensive improvement, and contributions from several players throughout the contest.
Fort Valley State was led offensively by Dakotah Holmes (No. 10), who recorded a team-high 11 kills while adding 10 digs for a double-double performance. Morgan Ansley (No. 8) provided an offensive spark with eight kills and a .263 hitting percentage, while Caytlyn Sanford (No. 1) contributed seven kills and four digs. Jalayah Hamby (No. 16) added four kills and three total blocks, helping establish a presence at the net.
The Lady Wildcats found their rhythm as the match progressed, increasing their offensive production after the opening set. Following a challenging first two sets, Fort Valley State responded with an impressive third-set performance, securing a 25-23 victory to extend the match. The Lady Wildcats combined timely attacks with defensive pressure to hold off a late Albany State rally and capture the set.
Reagan Mann (No. 5) continued to direct the Fort Valley State offense, finishing with 23 assists, while Jalena Thompson (No. 25) contributed four assists, five digs, and a service ace. Defensively, Kenley Covington (No. 14) added six digs, while Naoma Yancey (No. 13) recorded five digs. Lataya Mitchell (No. 4) also made an impact from the service line, recording a team-high two service aces.
Although Albany State ultimately secured the victory, Fort Valley State showed encouraging signs of growth, particularly in its offensive execution and ability to respond under pressure. The Lady Wildcats finished with 34 kills, 34 assists, 46 digs, and seven total team blocks, demonstrating contributions across the lineup.
With the result, Fort Valley State moves to 9-8 in SIAC play. The Lady Wildcats will look to build on the positives from Friday's performance as they continue their conference campaign, focusing on consistency, communication, and finishing strong down the stretch.
