HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Tuskegee volleyball remained unbeaten on the year after grinding out a 3–2 road victory over Oakwood on Wednesday evening.
The Golden Tigers (3–0) took the opening two sets with commanding play before withstanding a furious Oakwood rally to claim the decisive fifth set, 25–17, 25–14, 23–25, 20–25, 15–11.
Tuskegee came out firing in the first set, using a balanced attack and tough defense to race out to an early 7–2 lead after kills from five different players. Oakwood attempted to regroup with a pair of timeouts, but the Golden Tigers kept the momentum, sealing the frame 25–17 on a Messick kill.
The second set followed a similar script, as Tuskegee built an early cushion behind the strong play of led by
Demya Tate and
Najwa Williams. Tuskegee controlled the pace throughout and closed on an Oakwood error to take the set, 25–14.
Oakwood refused to go quietly, however. In the third set, the hosts erased an early deficit and capitalized on Tuskegee attack errors to pull ahead late. Despite a late push from the Golden Tigers that tied the score at 23, Oakwood closed with two straight points to extend the match, winning the third 25–23.
The Ambassadors carried that momentum into the fourth, racing out to an advantage at the beginning of the set behind Kamaria Murray's serving run. Tuskegee chipped away with kills, but Oakwood held on for a 25–20 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the deciding frame, Tuskegee regained its composure.
Chloe Edwards anchored the back row with steady passing as Tuskegee built a narrow lead and held off Oakwood's late push. The Golden Tigers clinched the match on a
Kayla Coleman finish at the net, 15–11.
Coleman and Williams paced the offense with 12 kills apiece, while
Zariah Messick added 11. Setter
Mikea Allen distributed 27 assists and chipped in 17 digs, while
Sahnee Dillahunt-Nedd added 22 assists, three digs and two service aces. Tuskegee finished with 60 total kills and 90 digs as a team.
With the win, Tuskegee improved to 3–0 on the season for the first time under head coach
Pamela Perkins. The Golden Tigers now turn their attention to another non-conference matchup at Auburn Montgomery on Friday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at the AUM Athletics Complex.
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www.goldentigersports.com.
