SAVANNAH, Ga. (Nov. 5, 2026) – The Fort Valley State University women's volleyball team closed out its 2026 regular season on a high note Thursday evening, defeating Savannah State University 3-1 on the road at Tiger Arena. The Lady Wildcats showed resilience and determination, bouncing back from an opening-set loss to claim three consecutive sets and carry momentum into the upcoming Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Championship.
After dropping the first set 22-25, Fort Valley State responded with a hard-fought 26-24 victory in the second set before taking control of the match with 25-20 and 25-9 wins in the final two sets. The victory improved the Lady Wildcats' overall record to 11-17 (10-9 SIAC) to conclude regular-season play.
Dakotah Holmes led the offensive charge for Fort Valley State, delivering an impressive performance with 16 kills, zero attacking errors and a .432 hitting percentage, while also contributing 10 digs. Morgan Ansley provided a major spark offensively, recording 11 kills and four block assists. Caytlyn Sanford added six kills, while Antonia Brewer contributed four kills and four block assists to help establish a strong presence at the net.
Setter Reagan Mann continued to demonstrate her leadership, directing the Lady Wildcats' offense with 37 assists, six digs and two service aces. Defensively, Mashayla Collins led the team with 11 digs, followed by Holmes and Lataya Mitchell with 10 apiece. Naoma Yancey added nine digs and a team-high three service aces, helping Fort Valley State maintain pressure throughout the contest.
As a team, the Lady Wildcats finished with 48 kills, eight service aces and 10 total blocks while posting a .252 hitting percentage. Fort Valley State's offensive efficiency improved as the match progressed, with the Wildcats hitting .393 in the third set and .323 in the fourth to secure the victory.
The final set highlighted the Lady Wildcats' ability to take control, as Fort Valley State jumped out to an early lead and never allowed Savannah State to regain momentum. Their dominant 25-9 finish capped off an impressive road performance and provided a confidence boost heading into postseason competition.
All Roads Lead to The Valley: SIAC Championship Returns to Fort Valley State
With the regular season officially behind them, the Lady Wildcats now shift their focus toward the 2026 SIAC Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament, hosted by Fort Valley State University from November 10-12.
The three-day tournament will bring conference competition to The Valley, giving Fort Valley State an opportunity to compete for a conference championship on its home court.
For the Lady Wildcats, Thursday's victory represents more than just another win. It provides valuable momentum as the team prepares for postseason competition, where consistency, execution and teamwork will be essential.
With the support of Wildcat Nation behind them, Fort Valley State looks to carry its late-season energy into the conference tournament and make a strong push toward an SIAC title.
The regular season has come to an end, but the hunt for a championship is just beginning.
Go Wildcats!
