BOWIE, MD -- Fayetteville State overcame a 2-1 deficit to defeat Virginia State in a five-set CIAA volleyball thriller Saturday afternoon at A.C. Jordan Arena.
The Broncos (11-4, 7-1 CIAA) won by scores of 25-27, 25-15, 24-26, 25-21, 15-10, handing the Trojans (8-9, 7-2 CIAA) just their second conference loss of the season.
Chiara Vittoni led all players with 20 kills, while Symone Morris added 19 kills and 11 digs for a double-double. Giovanna Teixeira paced the offense with 44 assists and contributed 12 digs. Jasmine Culp anchored the defense with a match-high 18 digs, and Chantiya Johnson led at the net with six blocks.
The opening set was a back-and-forth battle, featuring nine ties and three lead changes. Fayetteville State fought off set point to tie it at 24-all following a block by Ramona Pulu, but Virginia State closed out the set 27-25 with a kill from Gracie Darville.
In Set 2, the Broncos responded with a dominant 25-15 win, powered by a .345 attack percentage and 14 kills. Destiny Washington sparked a key run with a kill and a service ace, while Johnson and Morris teamed up for multiple blocks to stifle Virginia State's offense. Fayetteville State closed the set on a 10-3 run, capped by a kill from Morris and a miscue by the Trojans.
Set 3 was another tightly contested frame, tied eight times with four lead changes. Courtlynn Edwards provided a spark off the bench with a service ace and a kill, while Tione Freeman added another ace to keep the Broncos close. Vittoni and Morris continued to produce offensively, but Virginia State edged out a 26-24 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Fayetteville State responded in Set 4 with a balanced attack and timely defense to force a fifth set. The Broncos took control at 5-4 and never trailed again, building an eight-point lead at 20-12. Vittoni and Morris combined for several key kills, while Freeman delivered a clutch service ace late in the set. Johnson added a block to seal the 25-21 win.
In the decisive fifth set, Fayetteville State came out firing, scoring the first point and never trailing. Morris delivered four kills in the final frame, including the opening strike and the match-winner. Vittoni added two kills, and Johnson chipped in with a block and a kill to help the Broncos build a 6-point lead at 8-2. Freeman and Washington also contributed key plays as the Broncos closed out the set 15-10.
Tione Freeman added two service aces, and three Broncos finished with double-digit digs.
The Broncos return to action during a later match against Bluefield State.
