COLUMBIA, S.C.-The Savannah State University women's volleyball team suffered a three-set setback to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) opponent Benedict College Thursday evening at the Benjamin E. Mays HRC Arena.
The Lady Tigers fell by scores of 25-12, 25-14 and 25-14, dropping to 4-13 overall and 3-7 in SIAC play. Benedict improved to 10-6 overall and 6-4 in conference action.
Nyalah Smith led Savannah State offensively with a match-high-tying 10 kills on 24 attempts, posting a .250 hitting percentage. Faith Woods contributed five kills and the Lady Tigers' lone service ace, while Amiyah Walker directed the offense with 18 assists and added four digs.
Defensively, Anaya Yates paced Savannah State at the net with five block assists and two kills. Walker and Hope White shared the team lead with four digs apiece.
Savannah State opened the first set with energy, jumping out to a 4-1 advantage behind a pair of kills from Smith and additional contributions from Kayden Lawrence and Yates. The Lady Tigers maintained an 8-5 lead before Benedict responded with a run to take control. The home team eventually pulled away to claim the opening frame, 25-12.
Benedict carried its momentum into the second set, building an early 9-2 advantage. Savannah State attempted to battle back behind kills from Smith, Woods and Lawrence. Woods also recorded a service ace during a three-point Lady Tiger run that trimmed the deficit to 16-8. However, Benedict maintained its advantage and secured the second set, 25-14.
In the third set, Savannah State again started strong, taking an early 4-3 lead as Smith delivered four kills among the Lady Tigers' first four points. The teams battled through a 6-6 tie before Benedict used a decisive scoring run to pull away. Savannah State continued to compete down the stretch, collecting several blocks, but the home team closed out the match with another 25-14 victory.
The Lady Tigers finished with 22 kills, 22 assists, 21 digs and 10 block assists. Benedict recorded 42 kills, 36 assists, 36 digs and eight service aces while hitting .385 as a team.
Angelic Carter led Benedict with 10 kills and five solo blocks, while Willow Alls distributed 19 assists.
Savannah State returns home Friday, October 9, to host Allen University at 6 p.m at Tiger Arena. The match will also serve as Military Appreciation Night, as the Lady Tigers recognize and honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
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