By Richalyn Miller for Berryvikings.com

ROME, Ga. -- Senior Sarah Steffan had 10 kills as the regular season champion Berry Vikings moved on to the second round of the SAA tournament after a 3-0 sweep of the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels. Set scores were 25-11, 25-10, 26-24.

"I guess there's always a little bit of pressure whenever you're coming in as the number one seed, but we look at it as a new season," said Berry Head Coach Mia Robinson. "We're just playing one point, one set at a time; it's a brand new season," 

Coming in as the favorite in the tournament, the Vikings got off to a great start on their home court, proving why they were the number one seed. They dominated most of the first set, maintaining an easy double digit lead, winning the set 25-11.

Berry had a total of 13 kills with four of them coming from Kelsey Lochstampfor. Coming off of an injury, senior Claressa Brekke added 2 kills in the set.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of her," Robinson said. "I can tell you that a couple of weeks ago, nobody thought she'd be back on the court this quick. It's simply because of her diligence and hard work, and more importantly, just how much she's been the heart of the team this year." 

The second set was more of the same for the Vikings as they won the set 25-10 with their total team attack percentage at .357. Stephanie Quinn added 18 assists for the team in the match.

The third set provided the Vikings with a scare. After a promising lead, the Petrels made a comeback, tying the game at 24-24. But the Vikings maintained their composure winning the set 26-24, clinching the match and moving to the second round of the tournament.

"I think what I liked most was--and it didn't matter what lineup we had out there--they played just as hard together and really supported each other as any other lineup," added Robinson. "That's something that's really been the hallmark of this team."

The Vikings will play the winner of Millsaps vs. Birmingham Southern on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

The Vikings were presented with the SAA regular season championship trophy prior to the match. From left to right: AD Tom Hart, Gretchen Kaufman, Stpehanie Quinn and Sarah Steffan.