TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Mississippi Valley State University volleyball displayed resilience and a strong offensive finish Friday evening, but the Delta Devils fell in straight sets to Florida A&M University (16-25, 18-25, 22-25) in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action at the Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.
Taylor Wooten led Mississippi Valley State with a match-high 10 kills for the Delta Devils, finishing with a .286 hitting percentage, five digs and one solo block.
Brooklyn Brunt and
Aubrie Walker each contributed seven kills, while Brunt recorded a .200 hitting percentage.
Defensively,
Ashlynn Hawkins anchored the Delta Devils with six digs and a service ace, while
Dashaun Pinesette also collected six digs.
Kameryn Browne directed the offense with a team-high 14 assists and one service ace, while
Erin Mims added eight assists, two kills and a block solo.
Mississippi Valley State (1-23, 0-15 SWAC) opened the first set with energy, jumping ahead 3-1 behind early kills from Brunt. However, Florida A&M (18-10, 13-2 SWAC) responded with a scoring run to take control. The Delta Devils continued to battle behind offensive contributions from Walker and Brunt, but the Rattlers claimed the opening frame, 25-16.
The second set featured a more competitive back-and-forth battle as Mississippi Valley State found offensive opportunities and challenged the Rattlers throughout the early stages. A kill from Wooten gave the Delta Devils a 13-12 advantage before Florida A&M answered with six consecutive points to regain momentum. Despite additional kills from Wooten and contributions from Brunt, the Rattlers secured the second set, 25-18.
Mississippi Valley State delivered its strongest performance in the third set, showing determination and improved offensive execution. After falling behind 13-6, the Delta Devils mounted a comeback behind timely kills from Wooten, Walker and Brunt. A kill from Walker capped a four-point scoring run that erased an 18-14 deficit and tied the set at 18-18.
The Delta Devils continued to pressure Florida A&M down the stretch, with Wooten providing another crucial kill to keep Valley within striking distance. Mississippi Valley State ultimately fell 25-22, but finished the final frame with 10 kills and a .269 hitting percentage, its most efficient offensive set of the evening.
As a team, Mississippi Valley State recorded 29 kills, 28 assists, 27 digs, four total blocks and two service aces. The Delta Devils also demonstrated improved ball control and offensive efficiency in the final set, committing just three attacking errors after recording nine in the second frame.
Florida A&M was led by Iyonnie Sanford, who finished with 12 kills, while LaDonna Trantham added eight kills. Bengisu Kazazlar directed the Rattlers' offense with 18 assists as Florida A&M finished with 41 kills and a .240 hitting percentage.
Despite the setback, Mississippi Valley State showed continued determination, particularly during its third-set rally, as the Delta Devils look to build on their late-match offensive execution in their remaining conference competition.
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