JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Savannah State women's volleyball captured the second set but was unable to carry the momentum through the remainder of the match as Edward Waters defeated the Lady Tigers 3-1 Tuesday evening at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex.
Edward Waters won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup by scores of 25-23, 15-25, 25-10 and 25-19. The loss dropped Savannah State to 2-10 overall and 1-4 in SIAC play, while Edward Waters improved to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in conference action.
Savannah State had an opportunity to grab the opening set after building an early advantage. The Lady Tigers raced out to a 13-4 lead behind a pair of service aces from Kira Raby and kills from Faith Woods and Amiyah Walker.
Edward Waters gradually worked its way back into the set, eventually pulling even at 21-21. Savannah State regained the lead at 22-21 on a kill from Woods, but the home team scored four of the final five points to take the opening frame, 25-23.
The Lady Tigers responded with their strongest stretch of the night in the second set. Savannah State jumped ahead 8-4 and maintained control before putting together another run that stretched its advantage to 15-11.
After Edward Waters cut the margin to three, Savannah State closed the set in dominant fashion. The Lady Tigers scored 10 of the final 12 points, with Iyonna Pike contributing during the run and Woods delivering the set-winning kill to give SSU a 25-15 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
Edward Waters answered decisively in the third set. After Savannah State fell behind 10-2, the host Tigers continued to build their advantage and used a lengthy run midway through the frame to pull away for a 25-10 victory.
Savannah State battled in the fourth set but could not force a deciding fifth frame. Edward Waters established an early advantage, and although the Lady Tigers continued to fight behind the play of Harmony Flagg and Anaya Yates, the home team held off SSU for the 25-19 victory to close the match.
Woods paced Savannah State offensively with eight kills, while Yates delivered an efficient performance with six kills on 13 attacks and only one error for a team-best .385 hitting percentage. Yates also led the Lady Tigers at the net with six total blocks, including one solo block and five block assists.
Flagg added five kills, while Pike finished with four kills and four total blocks. Savannah State finished the night with 33 kills and 10 total blocks.
Walker continued to direct the Savannah State offense, recording 24 assists while also leading the Lady Tigers with 14 digs. Raby added 12 digs, five assists and two service aces, while Hope White collected nine digs and an ace. Jasbrielle Veal also recorded two of Savannah State's six service aces.
Edward Waters finished with 39 kills and hit .069 for the match while Savannah State recorded 33 kills. The host Tigers also held an 18-10 advantage in total blocks and an 8-6 edge in service aces. Savannah State finished with 56 digs compared to 54 for Edward Waters.
The road trip continues for Savannah State as they next will head to Atlanta to matchup with Clark Atlanta on Thursday at 6:00pm.
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