RALEIGH, NC --The No. 2 Seed Saint Augustine's volleyball team fought back from down two sets to none to secure a come-from-behind 3-2 victory (20-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-17, 15-6) over the No. 3 Seed Virginia State Trojans Tuesday at home at Emery Gymnasium.
The win moved the Falcons' overall record to 13-12 on the season and a berth into the 2023 CIAA Volleyball Championship Semifinal game.
The Falcons were led by a double-double from Kavlyn Giacomelli, who registered 16 kills and 18 digs on the day. Madison Jones also added 16 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Nayara Pereira chipped in for with 34 digs to go with eight blocks from Jones.
Game Notes
» Saint Augustine's dropped the first two sets of the match before rallying to win the final three.
» Saint Augustine's had four players in double figures in digs.
» Sofia Sanchez had a match-high three aces in the win.
» Kavlyn Giacomelli registered a double-double with 16 kills and 18 digs
» Saint Augustine's never trailed on the way to winning the fourth set 15-6.
» Kavlyn Giacomelli had a match-high 16 kills for Saint Augustine's.
» Saint Augustine's got a match-high 34 digs from Nayara Pereira.
» Saint Augustine's attackers were helped by a match-high 50 assists from Sydney Moore.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Falcons found themselves in an early hole, dropping the first set 25-20. Virginia State grabbed the advantage for good at 18-17 in a set that was tied up five times before the Trojans took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 2 | Saint Augustine's then lost set two 25-23 to fall behind in the match two sets to none. Virginia State grabbed the advantage for good at 18-17 in a set that was tied up 10 times before the Trojans took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 3 | Saint Augustine's got on the board after a victory in the third set to make it a 2-1 match. The Falcons grabbed the set 25-19. Saint Augustine's took the lead for good at 13-12 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Falcons took over the lead.
SET 4 | Saint Augustine's then kept the comeback train rolling, winning the fourth set 25-17 to bring the match level at two sets apiece. The Falcons took the lead for good at 16-15 in a set that had just one lead change before the Falcons took over in the second half of the stanza. Saint Augustine's got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked six Virginia State attacks in the stanza and capitalized on 11 Virginia State attacking errors on the way to victory.
SET 5 | Saint Augustine's fell behind two sets to none, but put together a furious rally to grab the next three sets, culminating in a 15-6 fifth-set victory, and take the match 3-2. The Falcons took a 1-0 lead and never looked back in set five to earn the victory. Saint Augustine's ended on a high note, opening its biggest lead of the stanza, nine points, to finish off the set, collecting 12 kills along the way.
Up Next
The Falcons will face the 1 seed from the North - Elizabeth City State on Saturday at 4:30. They will be the second semifinal matchup as Shaw University will play Fayetteville State at 2:00 pm. Seminfinal and Championship matches will be played at the AC Jordan Arena on the campus of Bowie State University in Bowie, MD.
