Columbia, SC — The Central State men's volleyball team delivered one of its most complete performances of the season, securing a two-day SIAC sweep over Benedict with a 3-1 victory on April 1 followed by a gritty five-set comeback win on April 2. The pair of wins pushes the Marauders to 8-12 overall and 4-3 in conference play, positioning Central State firmly in the middle of the SIAC standings as the team continues to build momentum down the stretch.
In the opening match, Central State faced early adversity, dropping the first set 25-15 while hitting just .038 as Benedict came out sharp offensively. However, the Marauders quickly settled in and responded with composure and efficiency, flipping the match entirely over the next three sets. Central State hit .259 in the second set and elevated its play even further in the third and fourth, posting hitting percentages of .478 and .444 to close out the match. The Marauders finished with a .301 hitting percentage compared to Benedict's .116, while also holding advantages in kills (49-33), aces (8-7), blocks (8-9), assists (41-32), and digs (31-30).
Offensively, Central State leaned on a balanced attack that kept Benedict out of rhythm. Jaedyn Harris led the way with 14 kills and 3 service aces, consistently applying pressure from the outside. Simon Falayi delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season with 12 kills on a .455 hitting percentage, while also contributing at the net with 2 blocks. Toulmin Williams IV added 9 kills, 3 total blocks, and 8 digs, showcasing his all-around impact. In the middle, Prince Trimuel was highly efficient with 6 kills on a .500 hitting percentage. Setter Christopher Demetriou orchestrated the offense with 36 assists, spreading the ball effectively across multiple attackers, while Benjamin Latham anchored the back row with a match-high 16 digs. Central State's ability to limit errors and increase offensive efficiency after the first set proved to be the defining factor in the 3-1 victory.
The second match of the series presented an even greater challenge, as Central State found itself trailing two sets to none after narrowly dropping the first (25-21) and second (28-26) sets. Despite the deficit, the Marauders showed resilience and refused to let the match slip away. The turning point came in the third set, where Central State hit an impressive .500, recording 20 kills with just 4 errors to regain momentum. That energy carried into the fourth set, where the Marauders dominated 25-14, capitalizing on Benedict errors and controlling the tempo on both sides of the net.
In the decisive fifth set, Central State maintained its composure and executed at a high level, closing out the match 15-10 to complete the comeback and secure the sweep. The Marauders were dominant statistically, finishing with 77 kills, 12 blocks, 75 assists, and 52 digs while hitting .388 as a team. The offensive trio of Harris, Falayi, and Williams IV led the charge in a high-powered performance. Harris recorded a match-high 22 kills along with 3 aces, Falayi added 20 kills and a team-high 5 blocks, and Williams IV contributed 17 kills and 8 digs. Demetriou continued his strong weekend performance with 68 assists and 4 aces, effectively controlling the pace of the match, while Latham once again led the defensive effort with 22 digs. Preston Smith also contributed at the net with 4 blocks, helping to slow Benedict's attack during the comeback.
Across both matches, Central State showcased a well-rounded and disciplined performance defined by offensive balance, efficient hitting, and strong defensive effort. The Marauders demonstrated their ability to adjust mid-match, respond to adversity, and execute in high-pressure situations—particularly in the five-set comeback. The weekend sweep not only strengthens Central State's position within SIAC play but also highlights the team's continued growth and potential as they push toward the latter part of the season.
