WILSON, N.C. – Fort Valley State University men's volleyball (2–6) earned a hard-fought five-set victory over Barton College (1–5) on Friday evening, outlasting the Bulldogs in a marathon match.

The opening set was tightly contested early, with neither team leading by more than two points through the first half. Fort Valley State built momentum behind kills from Taviian Martin and Isaiah Fedd, paired with efficient setting from Logan Rogers. A late Wildcats surge broke open a tie score, as FVSU closed the set on a decisive run to secure the 25–20 win.

Set two featured multiple lead changes as Barton briefly took control midway through the frame. Fort Valley State responded with a key scoring run sparked by kills from Fedd and De'vonte Payton, regaining the lead at 18–17. The Wildcats finished strong behind clutch points from Jeremy Jacob Gray and Muhammad Mbaye, closing the set 25–22 to take a 2–0 match lead.

Barton answered in the third set, but Fort Valley State matched every push. With the score tied late, Jamari Griffin and Martin delivered back-to-back kills to fuel a late run. The Wildcats controlled the final stretch, pulling away for a 25–20 victory and pushing the Bulldogs to the brink.

The Bulldogs extended the match in the fourth set, using an early run to build separation. Fort Valley State attempted to rally behind consecutive service aces from Fedd and timely net play from Payton, but Barton held on to take the set, 25–19.

The fifth set delivered a thrilling finish. Barton opened with a small lead, but Fort Valley State answered with a run behind a service ace from Fedd and kills from Martin and Gray to even the score. The teams traded points through multiple tie scores late. Facing match point, the Wildcats showed composure as Griffin and Martin combined for key kills. Fort Valley State sealed the victory with the final two points to claim the decisive set, 17–15.

Fort Valley State had two players reach double figures in kills. Fedd recorded a double-double, leading the offense with 23 kills on a .360 hitting percentage while adding 10 digs. Martin followed with 11 kills. Constantine Ononye anchored the back row with a team-high 14 digs. At the net, Payton led the Wildcats with three block assists and a solo block, while Martin added two solo blocks. Jeremyah Gaston contributed one solo block and one block assist.