SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Senior Tapanga Moten finished with 13 kills and two blocks as the Kentucky State University volleyball team opened the 2019 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament with a straight set (25-19, 25-10, 25-20) victory over #3E Paine College at the Upward Star Center.

#2W Kentucky State advances to play #1E Albany State 10 a.m. Tuesday in the next round.

With Jalynn Roberts (Davenport, IA) and Jalyn Barnett (Detroit, Mich.) serving Kentucky State took control of the first set, scoring 14 of 17 points to take a 22-11 lead. Paine scored six consecutive points late to make the score close.

There was no such luck for Paine in the second set as Kentucky State went on a 19-2 run, a 12-0 spurt with Roberts serving.

Kentucky State didn't really pull away from the Lions in the third and final set, opening up an 18-12 lead, and then essentially trading points to ease to the 25-20 victory.

Moten hit .632 in recording her 13 kills with just one error on 19 attempts. Junior Robin Poole (Katy, Texas) also tallied double-figure kills, finishing with 11 on 26 attempts.

Junior Sasha Bills (Mesa, Ariz.) led the team with 15 assists, and Barnett added 10 assists in the victory. Junior Oyuky Benitez (Laveen, Ariz.) finished with a team-high 10 digs.