MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Vikings Volleyball celebrate their first win and first Southern Athletic Association win over Oglethorpe, but fall to #25 Transylvania.
Match One Berry 3 - Oglethorpe 0
Berry College made a bold statement from the very beginning of the match, taking control early in set one as they were hungry for their first win of the season. Andrea Hurt came through with a crucial service ace, and the team maintained their momentum with a kill from Lindsey MacDiarmid. Berry's offensive pressure was relentless, and their defensive strategy thwarted Oglethorpe's attempts to gain traction.
Oglethorpe struggled to keep up with Berry's fast pace, leading to several key errors. Berry capitalized on these mistakes with kills from Bella Boston. Despite a few errors of their own, including a service error and some defensive lapses, Berry kept their composure and closed the set with a 25-13 win, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Berry continued their dominant performance into set two. The set started with Berry asserting their control through a series of well-executed plays. Hurt's service ace and a series of powerful kills from Madie Whitehead allowed Berry to build a solid lead.
Even when Oglethorpe managed to score, Berry's response was swift and effective. The Vikings finished the set with a commanding 25-17 score, showing their ability to stay focused and execute under pressure.
By Set 3, Berry was determined to seal the match with a strong finish. They started the set with an aggressive approach, with an early kill from Keira Kruk setting the tone.Â
Berry's strategy to exploit Oglethorpe's weaknesses was evident as they capitalized on Oglethorpe's errors, including several attack mistakes and service errors. Key plays from Lilly Teagle and Whitehead progressed the Vikings in a nail-biter finish to close out 26-24 and celebrate the first win of 2024 on their home court.
Match Two Berry 0 - Transylvania 3
Even though the scoreboard didn't fully reflect the Vikings effort, Berry played with heart and determination, but a few key moments and unfortunate breaks ultimately tilted the balance in favor of the Pioneers.
Berry started strong, with Bella Boston and Lura Underwood led the charge with aggressive kills, giving the Vikings a fighting chance. Natalie Erickson's serves and court vision were on display as she set up her teammates effectively. Despite a few missteps and close calls, Berry showed they could go toe-to-toe with the Pioneers, ultimately losing the set narrowly at 22-25.
In set two, Underwood and Boston continued their powerful play, but the team faced some tough breaks and a few crucial mistakes that let Transylvania pull ahead. Despite this, Berry's defense, led by Lilly Teagle and Bella Boston, kept the set competitive until the end, with the set closing at 20-25.
The Vikings performance in the third set saw some unfortunate service errors and a few contentious calls. The set ended with a decisive score of 10-25.
The Vikings take on day two of the Berry Invitational tomorrow at 1 and 3:30 PM ET against Wittenberg and Piedmont University.
