MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Fort Valley State University men's volleyball (2-7) fell in four sets at Mount Olive University (3-3) Saturday afternoon, 25-21, 25-12, 25-22, 29-27.

The opening set was tightly contested early as the Wildcats traded points with Mount Olive through the first half. Jamari Griffin, Isaiah Fedd, and Taviian Martin kept FVSU within striking distance while Logan Rogers directed the offense. Fort Valley State surged late, using a 5-0 run highlighted by a service ace and multiple kills from Fedd to take a 19-14 lead. Mount Olive responded with a run of its own, closing the set strong to reclaim the lead and take the opener, 25-21.

Mount Olive carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to an early advantage and stringing together multiple extended scoring runs. Despite kills from Martin, Fedd, and Muhammad Mbaye, the Wildcats struggled to slow the Trojans' attack. Mount Olive built a double-digit cushion midway through the frame and closed out the set, 25-12.

Fort Valley State responded in the third set with renewed energy, opening on a 3-0 run behind kills from Martin and Fedd. The Wildcats maintained pressure throughout the frame, with contributions from Jeremy Jacob Gray, Rogers, and Jeremyah Gaston helping FVSU stay within one or two points for much of the set. The teams were tied as late as 19-19 before Mount Olive used a late push to edge out the Wildcats, 25-22.

The fourth set proved to be the most dramatic of the match. Neither team led by more than three points as the set featured 10 ties and multiple lead changes. Martin and Fedd delivered key kills down the stretch, while Mbaye and Rogers added timely points to keep Fort Valley State alive. The Wildcats fought off match point and forced extra play, but Mount Olive ultimately closed the set at 29-27 to secure the match.

Fort Valley State generated several momentum-shifting runs throughout the contest, including the 5-0 surge in the opening set and the 3-0 run to begin the third. The Wildcats also answered Mount Olive scoring spurts with multiple two- and three-point responses, staying within striking distance late in each set.

Individually, Isaiah Fedd led the Wildcats with 20 kills, hitting an efficient .412. Taviian Martin added 10 kills on .286 hitting, while Jeremyah Gaston paced the offense with 27 assists. Gaston and Rogers led the defensive effort with eight digs apiece, with Fedd adding seven.

The Wildcats return to action on Friday, Feb. 13, hosting Quincy University at 6 p.m. inside Woodward Gym.