SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Kentucky State University volleyball team staved off elimination from the 2019 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament with a straight set victory over Savannah State Tuesday at the Upward Star Center.

If the Thorobreds are going to claim their fourth title in five years, they have to take the hard road. Kentucky State would need four victories Wednesday to achieve the feat. The journey begins 10 a.m. Wednesday against Benedict.

After Savannah State scored the first point of the match, Kentucky State dominance was never questioned as the Thorobreds never trailed at any other point of the match.

Junior Robin Poole (Katy, Texas) and freshman Miana Wallace (Lees Summitt, Mo.) powered the KSU offense, combining for 19 kills on 30 attempts. Poole finished with 10 kills on 15 attempts and one error, while Wallace had nine kills on 15 attempts and two errors. Wallace added four blocks, one solo and three assisted.

For the 11th time this season, junior Sasha Bills (Mesa, Ariz.) tallied at least 20 assists, distributing 21 in the victory.

KSU dropped a four-setter (25-22, 19-25, 25-15, 25-23) to Albany State in Tuesday's first game to send the Thorobreds into the losers bracket match against the Tigers.

Poole finished with her third double-double of the season with 10 kills and 15 digs. Junior Oyuky Benitez (Laveen, Ariz.) led the team with 17 digs.

Senior Tapanga Moten (New Orleans, La.) added six kills and six blocks in the loss.