Fayetteville, NC –Fayetteville State volleyball put on an impressive first showing in Capel Arena as the Broncos hosted UNC Pembroke for its home opener. But, defending home court didn't go as expected as the Braves defeated the Broncos 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 26-24, 25-14) to improve to 8-5 overall and FSU dropped to 4-2. CIAA Offensive Player of the Week Kalee Vanderhorst led the game with 12 kills.
 
Fayetteville State opened the match with a 4-0 run and spliced together another one to increase its lead from 12-9 to 16-9.  Jaida Bynum, who finished the game with 29 assists and 5 digs, fueled the run with a pair of four service aces of the match.   
 
UNC Pembroke eventually battled back in the set to tie the game at 19 and take a one-point lead behind three Bronco attack errors that contributed to a 5-0 run. Both teams exchanged points until the tied mark of 22-all.
 
A kill by Aeyane Mattress and Anjola Thomas would set the game at match-point, but a kill by Katelyn West would bring the Braves within one (24-23). After a UNC Pembroke serve, Bynum would set-assist Thomas for the final kill of the set for the 25-23 win.
 
FSU would jump to a 5-0 lead at the start of the second set, but the Broncos' momentum would stall as the Braves tied the set at 9-all.  UNC Pembroke would take over the second set with seven unanswered points and eight kills to tie the match at 1-1 with the 25-14 win.
 
UNC Pembroke opened the third set with a 7-2 advantage, but the Broncos would work their way back into the set to tie the game at 23 and take a one-point lead behind four consecutive kills by Vanderhorst. She would finish the set with eight kills. Unfortunately, UNCP would take a 2-1 lead after a 3-0 run to close out the set.
 
Although the energy was still high in Capel Arena, UNC Pembroke captured a 6-2 lead which increased to an 18-4 advantage in the eventual final set. FSU's Bailey Robinson nailed five straight kills to bring the set to 21-10, but the emotional distress would overwhelm the Broncos.
 
Three kills by UNCP's Kaila Crowder and a service ace would end the night for Fayetteville State with a 25-14 set.
 
Crowder led the Braves with 10 kills, 9 digs, and 3 aces. Shannon Skryd followed with 10 kills and 9 digs. 
 
The Broncos will host Winston-Salem State University on Thursday, September 23^rd at 6 pm.