CHARLESTON, S.C.  – Junior Liz Domary Ortiz Munoz led the Savannah State University with a match-high 14 digs as the Lady Tigers (0-1) fell to Charleston Southern University (3-1) 3-0 (13-25, 13-25, 13-25) to begin the 2018 season.
 
Sophomore middle blocker Tyran Chenault and freshman outside hitter Norian Ceballos Plaza each recorded four kills, while sophomore setter Salma Gonzalez led the team with seven assists and three service aces and added four digs. 
 
With the scored tied at five in the first set, the Bucs scored 13 of the next 18 points to take an eight-point lead, 18-10, but the Lady Tigers scored the next two points to cut the lead to six points, 18-12.  CSU scored seven of the final eight points to win the set and to take a 1-0 match lead.
 
Charleston Southern scored seven of the first nine points of the second frame to take a five-point lead, 7-2, but the Lady Tigers scored three of the next four points to cut the lead to three points, 8-5.  CSU scored 12 consecutive points to increase the lead to 15, 20-5, but Savannah State scored seven of the final 13 points as the Bucs won the second set and took a 2-0 match lead.
 
The Bucs scored eight of the first 15 points to take a slight one-point lead, 8-7, but then scored seven consecutive points to increase the lead seven points, 14-7.  Savannah State scored five of the next six points to cut the lead to three points, 15-12, but CSU scored 10 of the final 11 points to win the set and the match.
 
The Bucs were led by Madison Malloch with a game-high 10 kills, while Naiomi Rivera recorded a match-high 23 assists and Madison Martin added 13 digs.
 
The Lady Tigers continue the roadstand with a trip to Miami, Fla., for three matches this weekend.  SSU starts with host Florida International University Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by a doubleheader Friday with the University of Delaware at 9:30 a.m. and Chicago State University at 3:30 p.m.
 
Savannah State then returns home to host The Citadel Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.
 
Short Box Score (Match)
2017 Savannah State Volleyball
SSU vs Charleston So. (Aug 28, 2018 at Charleston, S.C.)
Charleston So. def. SSU 25-13,25-13,25-13
 
  SSU (0-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - CHENAULT,Tyran 4-0-1; CEBALLOS
  PLAZA,Noria 4-0-1; FULLER,Oneillia 2-0-1; JORDAN,Ashley 2-0-1;
  GONZALEZ,Salma 1-3-0; SCOTT,Jamese 0-0-1; Totals 13-3-3.0. (Assists) -
  . (Dig leaders) - ORTIZ MUNOZ,Liz 14; CEBALLOS PLAZA,Noria 4
 
  Charleston So. (2-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - MALLOCH, Madison 10-0-1;
  KADERLI, Addison 8-0-0; LAPORTE, Macey 4-3-0; WESTERN, Hannah 4-1-1;
  MICHALSKI, Caitlyn 2-0-2; RIVERA, Naiomi 2-1-0; HOLWEGER, Ashleigh
  0-3-0; SMITH, Rachel 0-1-0; BLACKMON, Skylar 0-2-0; MARTIN, Madison
  0-2-0; Totals 30-13-3.0. (Assists) - RIVERA, Naiomi 23. (Dig leaders)
  - MARTIN, Madison 13; RIVERA, Naiomi 8
 
  Site: Charleston, S.C. (Buc Field House)
  Date: Aug 28, 2018   Attend:     Time: 1:17   
  Referees:
 
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