SUNO Stunned by Wiley in Five-Set Thriller

by: Kimora Martin, Intern

SUNO Volleyball returned to The Castle Friday night for its first conference matchup of the year, taking on the Wiley University Wildcats. The match kicked off Family & Fan Club Weekend, an event where fans are invited to celebrate their favorite Knight with t-shirts, paraphernalia, and signs. When it was all done, Wiley powered over SUNO 3-2 to take the match.  

Set 1 – SUNO 25, Wiley 23 

Wiley struck first with a quick 2–0 start, but SUNO responded with a 4–2 run to settle into the match. The set remained tight, with both sides exchanging short, scoring bursts but struggling to establish rhythm. 

Later in the frame, SUNO's defense took over. Taszia Adkinson and Ja'Myra Tyler formed a strong blocking duo at the net, stalling Wiley's late push. Tyler delivered the decisive kill to close the set, giving the Lady Knights a 1–0 match lead. 

Set 2 – SUNO 25, Wiley 18 

Wiley jumped out to a 6–1 lead early, but SUNO quickly composed themselves and clawed back to tie the score at 14–14. From there, the Lady Knights took control behind strong performances from Kendrece Dozier and Ja'Myra Tyler, who combined for key blocks and kills. 

Wiley used both of their timeouts to regroup, but SUNO stayed locked in defensively. A late 6–2 scoring run, capped by a Dozier kill, secured the set 25–18 and gave SUNO a 2–0 lead. 

Set 3 – SUNO 19, Wiley 25 

Wiley responded in the third with a more disciplined effort, edging SUNO in a back-and-forth set. Despite solid offensive contributions from Adkinson and Tyler, the Lady Knights were hampered by attack errors, allowing Wiley to capitalize. 

Behind the strong hitting of Shyla Starks and Leah Monsegue, Wiley closed out the set to stay alive in the match. 

Set 4 – SUNO 23, Wiley 25 

Momentum shifted throughout the fourth set, with both teams trading extended runs. Down 14–11, SUNO flipped the script with a surge powered by Adkinson, Samaria Berry, and Kailany Alba, turning the deficit into a 16–14 advantage. 

Wiley, however, responded immediately, tying the match behind clutch plays from Johna Davis and Jae Jemmott. SUNO continued to battle, pulling within one at 24–23 after a big block by Berry and Adkinson. 

But the final swing went Wiley's way, as Alba's attack was blocked by Kerrigan Biggs and Davis, sending the match to a decisive fifth set. 

Set 5 – SUNO 14, Wiley 16 

The Lady Knights came out firing in the final frame. After trailing 0–2, they stormed back with five unanswered points, highlighted by a service ace and kill from Adkinson and strong net presence from Hudson and Alba. 

SUNO held narrow leads late in the set—up 11–9 and again at 13–12—but Wiley's Shyla Starks proved unstoppable down the stretch. Rachelle Santos added a service ace to pull Wiley even, and a block on Alba sealed the match 16–14. 

The Knights return to The Castle on Saturday to take on Philander Smith University. First serve is set for 1 p.m.