FORT VALLEY, Ga.–The Savannah State University women's volleyball team battled through four sets Thursday evening but came up short against Fort Valley State University, falling 3-1 in an SIAC matchup at the Health and Physical Education Complex.
The Lady Tigers (4-16, 3-10 SIAC) dropped the opening set 25-21 before bouncing back to claim the second set 25-20. However, the Lady Wildcats (8-13, 7-6 SIAC) responded by taking the final two sets, 25-16 and 25-18, to secure the conference victory.
Faith Woods led Savannah State offensively with a team-high 10 kills, adding three digs and a service ace.
Kayden Lawrence followed with seven kills and a block assist, while
Iyonna Pike contributed five kills.
Amiyah Walker recorded a double-double with 10 assists and a team-high 11 digs while adding two service aces.
Lela Curry chipped in nine assists and two aces, while
Kira Raby finished with nine digs, three kills and a team-high three service aces.
Hope White also collected nine digs.
Savannah State opened the contest strong, jumping out to a 10-7 advantage in the first set. Fort Valley State rallied to take control midway through the frame, building a 19-15 lead. The Lady Tigers pulled within one point at 20-19 following a service ace from Raby, but the Lady Wildcats held on for the 25-21 victory.
The second set saw Savannah State respond with a determined effort. After trailing 19-16 late in the frame, the Lady Tigers put together an impressive 8-0 scoring run behind Walker's serving to take a commanding 24-19 advantage. Woods delivered a pair of kills during the run, while Walker added a service ace. Savannah State closed out the set 25-20 to even the match at one set apiece.
Fort Valley State regained momentum in the third set, racing out to a 6-0 lead. Savannah State battled back to trim the deficit to 14-12 behind strong serving from Raby, but the Lady Wildcats answered with a seven-point run to extend their lead to 21-12 before eventually taking the set 25-16.
The fourth set featured a competitive back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to establish a significant advantage early. Savannah State held a 15-14 lead before Fort Valley State responded to move ahead 17-15. The Lady Tigers tied the contest at 17-17 behind a kill from Lawrence, but the Lady Wildcats pulled away down the stretch to secure the 25-18 victory.
Savannah State finished the evening with 33 kills, 26 assists, 45 digs and 11 service aces. Fort Valley State recorded 45 kills, 44 assists, 55 digs and 11 service aces while holding a .244 to .076 advantage in hitting percentage.
For Fort Valley State, Tanyla Farley led all players with 13 kills, while Dakotah Holmes added seven kills, four service aces and eight digs. Reagan Mann directed the offense with 42 assists and three service aces.
Savannah State returns home on Tuesday, October 20, to host Edward Waters University in SIAC action. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside of Tiger Arena.
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