CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – Kentucky State women's volleyball opened play at the Thomas More Tournament on Friday, falling in straight sets to Salem and Lake Superior State inside the Connor Convocation Center.
The Thorobreds fell to Salem 25-22, 25-18 and 25-20 before closing the day with a 25-22, 25-16, 25-19 setback against Lake Superior State.
Salem 3, Kentucky State 0
Kentucky State battled Salem through nine ties and four lead changes in a tightly contested opening set. The Thorobreds recorded 14 kills and hit .222 in the frame, building leads of 12-9 and 21-18 before Salem drew even at 22. The Tigers captured the final three points to take the set, 25-22.
Salem carried its momentum into the second set and built an early 10-3 advantage. Kentucky State responded with a late push, but the Tigers maintained control to secure a 25-18 win.
The Thorobreds led 8-6 in the third set following consecutive kills from
Ananiah Huguely and
Kirsten Mathews. Kentucky State remained within striking distance and tied the frame at 12 before Salem pulled away late to complete the sweep.
Huguely led Kentucky State with nine kills and added seven digs.
Laila Wheaton registered eight kills with a .375 hitting percentage, while
Jayla Collins finished with six kills, two solo blocks, three block assists and a service ace.
Sienna Stewart directed the offense with 28 assists, while Mathews led the back row with 10 digs. Kentucky State finished with 36 kills, 44 digs and six total team blocks.
Lake Superior State 3, Kentucky State 0
Kentucky State again challenged its opponent deep into the opening set against Lake Superior State. The Thorobreds held several early three-point advantages and remained even with the Lakers at 15 before Lake Superior State used a late surge to claim a 25-22 victory.
The Lakers took control midway through the second set, turning a 3-3 tie into a 12-5 advantage. Kentucky State trimmed the deficit behind kills from
Jaazaniah Calvert and a service ace from Mathews, but Lake Superior State closed the frame, 25-16.
In the third set, Kentucky State continued to fight after falling behind 11-5. The Thorobreds pulled within four at 18-14 following a Wheaton service ace and later cut the margin to 23-19 before the Lakers scored the final two points.
Calvert led the Thorobreds with nine kills and a .316 hitting percentage. Wheaton delivered an efficient performance with six kills on eight attempts, hitting .625, and added two service aces.
Stewart recorded 23 assists and 10 digs for a double-double. Mathews added a team-high 11 digs and two aces, while Huguely finished with five kills and nine digs.
Kentucky State will conclude the Thomas More Tournament on Saturday against host Thomas More. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Connor Convocation Center.
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