SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Savannah State University women's volleyball team closed out its 2026 campaign Thursday evening, falling to Fort Valley State University in four sets (25-22, 24-26, 20-25, 9-25) in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action at Tiger Arena.
The Lady Tigers, who captured the opening set before dropping the next three, concluded their season with an overall record of 6-20 and a 5-14 mark in SIAC play. Fort Valley State improved to 11-17 overall and 10-9 in conference competition.
Savannah State was led offensively by
Faith Woods, who delivered a match-high 18 kills while adding 16 digs for a double-double.
Nyalah Smith, who was recently named the SIAC Offensive Player of the Week, contributed 15 kills, two digs, one service ace and a solo block.
Amiyah Walker, the reigning SIAC Setter of the Week, directed the Lady Tigers' offense with a match-high 38 assists while adding nine digs, three kills and two service aces.
The Lady Tigers came out aggressively in the opening set, jumping to a 6-1 advantage behind the offensive production of Smith. Savannah State extended its lead to 13-5 before Fort Valley State began mounting a comeback.
The Lady Wildcats eventually took a 19-18 lead, but Savannah State responded with a late surge. A service ace by Walker and another from Smith helped the Lady Tigers regain control, and a Fort Valley State service error sealed the 25-22 opening-set victory.
Fort Valley State answered in the second set, building a 12-5 advantage before Savannah State began chipping away at the deficit.
Trailing 19-15, the Lady Tigers rallied to even the score at 20-20. After Fort Valley State regained a 23-20 lead, Savannah State once again responded, tying the contest at 23-23.
A kill by
Jasbrielle Veal later tied the set at 24-24, but the Lady Wildcats claimed the final two points to escape with a 26-24 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
In the third set, Savannah State remained competitive early before Fort Valley State used a mid-set surge to establish a 16-10 advantage. The Lady Tigers continued battling behind the offensive efforts of Woods, Smith and
Harmony Flagg, but the visitors maintained their advantage to secure a 25-20 decision.
Fort Valley State carried that momentum into the fourth set, opening with a 4-0 run and extending its lead to 10-3. The Lady Wildcats maintained control throughout the final frame, closing out the match with a 25-9 victory.
Along with Woods and Smith, Flagg and Veal each finished with six kills. Flagg also recorded five digs and two block assists, while Veal posted a .273 hitting percentage.
Defensively,
Hope White led Savannah State with a match-high 18 digs, while Woods added 16. Walker contributed nine digs, and
Lela Curry finished with six.
Savannah State totaled 48 kills, 45 assists, 62 digs, six service aces and three total blocks during the contest.
Fort Valley State was paced by Dakotah Holmes, who recorded 16 kills without an attacking error on 37 attempts for a .432 hitting percentage. Morgan Ansley added 11 kills and four block assists, while Reagan Mann distributed 37 assists.
The Lady Wildcats finished with a .252 team hitting percentage compared to Savannah State's .121 and held a 10-3 advantage in total blocks.
Thursday's contest officially brought the 2026 season to an end for Savannah State under ninth-year head coach
Roselidah Obunaga.
Despite the challenges encountered throughout the campaign, the Lady Tigers continued to compete in SIAC play, with several student-athletes delivering noteworthy individual performances.
The season also featured conference recognition for Smith and Walker, who earned SIAC Offensive Player of the Week and Setter of the Week honors, respectively, during the final week of the regular season.
Savannah State now turns its attention toward the offseason as the Lady Tigers begin preparations for the 2027 campaign.
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