ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. - Kentucky State men's volleyball concluded a productive weekend at the Showdown in the Woods, shaking off an opening-match loss to reel off three consecutive sweeps and finish the tournament with a 3-1 record.
 
Match One: Kentucky State 1, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 3
In the tournament opener on Friday morning, the Thorobreds faced a tough test against the host Pomeroys. Despite the loss, KSU found life in the third set, hitting .200 as a team to claim a 25-19 victory and extend the match. Charles Ababio led the effort with 11 kills, while Jamal Gray nearly notched a triple-double, recording 10 digs, nine assists, and five kills. The Thorobreds' defensive front was active at the net, totaling seven blocks, including three from Jeramiah Wilmond.
 
Match Two: Kentucky State 3, SOKA (Calif.) 0
Kentucky State found the win column in dominant fashion during their second Friday match, sweeping Soka University of America (25-17, 25-18, 25-17). The Thorobreds dictated play with a season-high .278 hitting percentage. Ababio was virtually unstoppable, hammering 12 kills on a .381 clip, while Jamir Patterson added 10 kills. Jackson Moffitt orchestrated the efficient attack with 25 assists, keeping the Lions' defense off-balance throughout the sweep.
 
Match Three: Kentucky State 3, Calumet 0
In a gritty morning session, the Thorobreds proved they could win the "tight points." KSU fended off the Crimson Wave in a 26-24 first-set thriller before cruising in the final two frames. Jackson Moffitt was the catalyst, dishing out 25 assists and directing an offense that saw Ababio (11 kills) and Patterson (10 kills) reach double digits again.
 
Match Four: Kentucky State 3, Rochester Christian 0
The Thorobreds carried that momentum into Saturday, utilizing a high-pressure service game to dismantle Rochester Christian in straight sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-21). KSU tallied a staggering 12 service aces, with Patterson accounting for five of them.
 
The match remained tight in the third frame, featuring 14 ties, but the Thorobreds' poise late in the set allowed them to pull away. Middle blocker Miko Wilmond was clinical, recording four kills on five attempts (.800 pct), while D'Angelo Coleman anchored the defense with a match-high 10 digs.
 
Weekend Statistical Leaders
Kills: 44, Charles Ababio
Assists: 88, Jackson Mofitt
Aces: 9, Jamal Gray
Digs: 29, D'Angelo Coleman
Blocks: 8, Jeramiah Wilmond

 Up Next
Kentucky State will return to the Bluegrass State and travel to Crestview Hills, Kentucky to face Thomas More on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.
 
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