Albany, Georgia:
Day Two of the SIAC Crossover, Central State Volleyball faced a challenging doubleheader, starting with a match against Fort Valley State before later squaring off against Edward Waters.

Match 1: Fort Valley State vs. Central State

Coming off a late match on Friday night vs Albany State the Marauders opened on Saturday with a 9am start, Central State (5-8, 3-1 SIAC) faced off against Fort Valley State (3-1, 2-1 SIAC). Despite a spirited effort, the Marauders were unable to keep pace with the Golden Panthers, losing in four sets with scores of 27-25, 21-25, 14-25, and 18-25.   The Marauders set the tone in the first set, but FVSU took control in the second and didn't look back.  

The first set showcased Central State's potential as they battled neck-and-neck with Fort Valley. Caytlyn Sanford led the charge with nine kills, while Antonique Coleman added ten kills of her own. 

The second set saw Central State's offense falter a bit, but they managed to rally before falling short. As the match progressed, Fort Valley's consistent attack and strong defense began to take over, allowing them to control the latter sets. The Marauders finished with 45 kills and a hitting percentage of .236 but were outpaced by Fort Valley's 49 kills and their impressive team play.

Match 2: Central State vs. Edward Waters

After a brief break, Central State returned to the court to take on Edward Waters (2-9, 2-2 SIAC). The Marauders showcased resilience, emerging victorious in a thrilling five-set match with scores of 25-22, 14-25, 27-25, 12-25, and 18-16.

The first set was tightly contested, with Central State pulling ahead at crucial moments, thanks in part to Braelynn Reese's 16 kills and Zahra Coates' 15. Despite dropping the second set, the Marauders regained momentum in the third, winning it 27-25 with strong contributions from their defense and timely kills.

Edward Waters responded with a dominant performance in the fourth set, forcing a decisive fifth set. The final set was a nail-biter, with both teams trading points and neither able to establish a clear lead. Central State ultimately edged out Edward Waters, securing the win with an 18-16 finish, highlighting their determination and teamwork.

Overall, the day showcased Central State's potential and resilience, even in the face of a tough opening match against Fort Valley State. With the victory over Edward Waters, they improved to 5-8 overall and 3-1 in the SIAC, setting a positive tone moving forward in the season.   The Marauders are back in action at home this week with a Match on Wednesday at 6pm vs Thomas More and then two matches on Saturday vs West Virginia State.


Recap by Brad Kocher
Photos by Mycah Pollard