By MacKenzie Tuttle for berryvikings.com

ROME, Ga. - - Getting every uniformed player into the game, the Berry College volleyball team defeated Oglethorpe University, 3-0, at home on Wednesday night. The set scores were 25-8, 31-29, and 25-16.

The win improved the 21st ranked Vikings to 10-3 overall and 2-1 in the Southern Athletic Association. The loss dropped the visiting Stormy Petrels to 2-9 and 0-3.

Allowing only eight points in the first set, BC dominated on offense with nine kills to Oglethorpe's five, finishing the set at 25-8.

Giving their bench some experience in the second set, the Vikings' were soon behind 24-21. The Vikes maintained their composure, however, and scored three points to even the game at 24. BC pevailed, 31-29, on back-to-back kills from Cassi Culhan and Hannah Kate Thompson.

"We did choose to go with a whole, completely different line-up in the second set," said Berry College Head Coach Mika Robinson. "I had complete confidence in their ability to pull out that second set. We had all freshmen and a couple of sophomores on the floor, so it was a great opportunity for them to play in front of a home crowd. It was also a great opportunity for them to play in a pressure situation."

With a mix of starters and newcomers pacing the third game, Berry finished the match with a, 25-16, victory in the third set.

Christina Goforth led the Berry offense with six kills on the night. Katie O'Rourke added five kills and five blocks.

For the defense, Madison Young collected seven digs for the home team. Rachel Ford and Katie Truluck also garnered six digs.

"I thought we did a great job of staying composed all the way through the match tonight, Robinson said. "Our serving and passing games were also much improved."

Oglethorpe's MarryAnn Smith led the Stormy Petrels in kills, spiking ten in the loss.