ALBANY, Ga. — Savannah State bounced back from an opening-match loss to Kentucky State to defeat Central State in four sets on Friday, earning a split on the first day of the SIAC Crossover at the Jones Brothers HPER Complex.
The Lady Tigers fell to Kentucky State in straight sets, 25-18, 25-23 and 25-22, before returning to the court later in the afternoon and defeating Central State 20-25, 25-16, 25-19 and 25-19. Savannah State finished the day with a 2-7 overall record and a 1-1 mark in SIAC play.
Savannah State opened conference play against Kentucky State and struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the opening set.
Kentucky State hit .297 in the first frame and pulled away for a 25-18 victory. The Lady Tigers responded with a much stronger effort in the second set but came up just short, falling 25-23.
Savannah State again stayed within striking distance during the third set before Kentucky State closed out the match with a 25-22 victory.
Faith Woods paced Savannah State with seven kills while Nyalah Smith and Kayden Lawrence added five kills apiece. Lawrence and Woods each served two aces. Amiyah Walker handed out 18 assists while Hope White anchored the defense with a match-high 17 digs. Kira Raby added 10 digs.
Kentucky State finished the match with 40 kills compared to 24 for Savannah State and held a .155 to .019 advantage in hitting percentage.
The Lady Tigers regrouped in their second match of the day and turned in one of their strongest all-around performances of the young season.
After Central State took the opening set 25-20, Savannah State responded emphatically.
The Lady Tigers hit .229 in the second set while holding Central State to a negative hitting percentage and evened the match with a 25-16 victory. Savannah State carried that momentum into the third set, recording 14 kills on the way to a 25-19 win.
SSU finished the job with another 25-19 victory in the fourth set to secure its first SIAC win of the season.
Jasbrielle Veal led a balanced Savannah State attack with 12 kills while hitting .333. Lawrence finished with 11 kills and three service aces, while Woods added nine kills. Smith chipped in eight kills.
Walker directed the offense with 41 assists and added 11 digs and two service aces. Raby turned in a strong defensive performance with a match-high 25 digs, while White added 14 digs.
Savannah State was especially effective at the net. The Lady Tigers finished with 11 team blocks compared to just one for Central State. Anaya Yates led the effort with eight block assists while Lawrence and Veal were each involved in three blocks.
SSU finished the match with advantages in kills (45-35), assists (42-33), blocks (11-1) and digs (73-63). The Lady Tigers also hit .147 while limiting Central State to a .020 hitting percentage.
Savannah State will wrap up play at the SIAC Crossover on Saturday with two more conference matches. The Lady Tigers will face defending SIAC champion, Spring Hill at 1 p.m. before closing the weekend against Miles at 6 p.m.
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