COLUMBIA, S.C.– Behind a sensational 30-kill performance from
Nyalah Smith, the Savannah State University women's volleyball team erased a two-set deficit to complete a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Allen University on Thursday evening inside John Hurst Adams Gymnasium.
After dropping the opening two sets, 18-25 and 16-25, the Lady Tigers refused to surrender, battling back to capture the final three frames, 25-23, 27-25 and 15-12, to secure a hard-fought Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) road victory.
With the win, Savannah State improved to 6-18 overall and 5-12 in SIAC play, while Allen fell to 5-17 overall and 4-13 in conference competition.
Smith delivered an outstanding offensive performance, finishing with a match-high 30 kills on 60 attempts while hitting .333. The Lady Tigers' offensive standout accounted for more than half of Savannah State's 57 kills and added a block assist in the victory.
Faith Woods provided additional offensive firepower, recording 10 kills, eight digs and two service aces, while
Jasbrielle Veal contributed six kills on 10 attempts for an impressive .400 hitting percentage.
Setter
Amiyah Walker orchestrated the Savannah State attack, dishing out 41 assists while collecting 10 digs to complete a double-double. Defensively,
Hope White anchored the back row with a team-high 15 digs.
Allen appeared to have control of the contest early, taking the opening set 25-18 before extending its advantage with a convincing 25-16 victory in the second frame.
Facing elimination, Savannah State began its comeback in the third set. The Lady Tigers jumped out to an early advantage before the Yellow Jackets battled back to keep the contest close. With the score tied at 17, Savannah State used a 5-0 run, highlighted by a Smith kill and back-to-back service aces from Woods, to take a 22-17 lead.
Allen fought back to within one point at 24-23, but Smith delivered the decisive kill to give Savannah State a 25-23 victory and extend the match.
The fourth set featured another dramatic finish.
Savannah State built a 19-12 advantage and appeared poised to force a deciding fifth set. However, Allen mounted a furious rally, eventually tying the score at 24-24 after the Lady Tigers had held set point.
Smith responded with a kill to put Savannah State back in front, but Allen answered to even the score at 25. Smith then delivered another crucial kill before Woods finished the frame with a kill of her own, giving the Lady Tigers a 27-25 victory and forcing a fifth set.
Savannah State carried that momentum into the deciding frame, where the Lady Tigers produced their most efficient offensive performance of the evening. SSU registered nine kills against just one attacking error on 15 attempts, hitting a remarkable .533 in the fifth set to complete the comeback with a 15-12 victory.
As a team, Savannah State finished with 57 kills, 55 assists, 62 digs and eight service aces. The Lady Tigers hit .206 for the match, overcoming an Allen squad that recorded 50 kills, 52 digs and 13 service aces.
Saige Bradley paced the Yellow Jackets with 17 kills, four service aces and two solo blocks, while Rehanna Franklin added nine kills and a match-high 16 digs.
The victory marked a resilient performance for head coach
Roselidah Obunaga's squad, which overcame a difficult opening two sets to claim three consecutive frames on the road.
Savannah State returns to action on Tuesday, November 3, traveling to Albany, Georgia, to face Albany State University. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Jones Brothers HPER Complex.
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