PETERSBURG, Va. – The Fayetteville State volleyball team earned a marquee CIAA victory Friday evening, defeating conference-leading Virginia State in straight sets, 26-24, 25-22, and 25-12, at the Multipurpose Center. The Broncos improved to 13-4 overall and 10-3 in CIAA play, while the Trojans fell to 13-9 overall and 11-2 in the conference.
McKenna Miller led Fayetteville State with a match-high 11 kills, while
Leticia Neves Nascimento added 9 kills on a .450 hitting percentage.
Kemyah Harris recorded 9 kills and seven digs, while
Mya Hejl delivered an all-around performance with six kills, three service aces, and two blocks.
Erin Johnson was highly efficient, finishing with six kills on nine attempts for a .667 hitting percentage.
The Broncos received strong play from their setters as
Giovanna Teixeira tallied 21 assists and
Melissa Gonzalez added 20 assists and 10 digs. Defensively, libero
Jasmine Culp paced the team with 15 digs as Fayetteville State collected 63 digs as a team.
The opening set featured 13 ties and seven lead changes before Fayetteville State closed on a 3-1 run to secure a hard-fought 26-24 victory. The Broncos carried that momentum into the second set, using timely defensive plays to hold off the Trojans for a 25-22 win and take a two-set advantage.
Fayetteville State dominated the decisive third set. After opening a 12-2 lead, the Broncos never looked back, hitting an impressive .586 in the frame while limiting Virginia State to a .103 attacking percentage. The Broncos closed the match with a 25-12 victory to complete the sweep.
Virginia State was led by Kyrie Willis with eight kills, while De'Mya Robinson and Gracie Darville added seven kills each.
As a team, Fayetteville State held advantages in kills (48-35), assists (45-32), digs (63-60), and hitting percentage (.314 to .162). The Broncos also recorded 17 kills with no errors in the third set to pull away from the Trojans.
Fayetteville State returns to the court Saturday at 11 a.m. to face Virginia Union as CIAA Round-Up play continues in Petersburg.
