MOBILE, Ala. -- The Miles volleyball season came to an end on Thursday in the opening round of the SIAC Women's Volleyball Championship presented by Toyota, falling in straight sets to Fort Valley State (25-13, 25-10, 25-20) at the Outlaw Recreation Center.

The Lady Bears (18-16) never led in the first two sets as the Lady Wildcats (24-4) seemingly had all the answers on both sides of the net. In the third set, Miles got kills from Kori Brown, Addisyn Doss and Precious Sturdivant to help take an early 5-0 lead. Two Zion Rucker service aces sandwiched a block by Brown, Jaida Lloyd and Karea Copeland to give the Lady Bears a 15-8 advantage.

But leading 17-12, Miles allowed eight consecutive points to the Lady Wildcats to give them their first lead of the final set. A kill by Copeland and an ace from Kandace Griffin helped the Lady Bears close to within 22-20, but FVSU - the East Division winners - scored the final three points to close out the match and end the Lady Bears' resurgent campaign.

Copeland had 10 points and 12 digs to lead Miles in both categories. Lloyd (19 assists, six digs, two blocks), and Brown (.261 hitting percentage, eight kills) were also  among the top performers for the Lady Bears.