FRANKFORT, Ky. — The 2026 regular season for Kentucky State men's volleyball with a 3-1 loss to Central State Tuesday at Bell Gym.  
 
Kentucky State struggled early in the opening set but found its rhythm in the second, utilizing a dominant defensive performance at the net to even the match. The Thorobreds finished the evening with 13 total blocks, nearly doubling the output of the Marauders.
 
Charles Ababio's 15 kills came on a .265 hitting percentage, leading a KSU offense that also saw 14 kills from freshman Ryker Noteboom. Freshman Jackson Moffitt anchored the attack with 33 assists and contributed defensively with seven digs and three blocks. Graduate student Jamal Gray provided a defensive spark in the back row, tallying a team-high 13 digs.
 
Central State was led by Simon Falayi and Jaedyn Harris, who each recorded 14 kills. Christopher Demetriou directed the Marauder offense with 45 assists and added two service aces in the winning effort.
 
The match turned in a pivotal third set that saw five lead changes and 10 ties. After Kentucky State claimed the second set 25-20, both teams traded points in a back-and-forth third frame. The Thorobreds held a late 24-23 lead following a kill by Jacob Herman, but Central State managed to survive the set point and eventually took the frame 28-26.
 
In the fourth set, the Marauders regained momentum, jumping out to an early lead and hitting .500 as a team to close out the match 25-17. Kentucky State continued to fight at the net, with Herman and Ababio combining for several late blocks, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
 
UP NEXT
The Thorobreds will travel to Jacksonville, Florida for the 2026 Men's Volleyball Championship April 16-18
 
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