BLOOMINGTON, IL - Viking volleyball is set to battle No. 1 East Texas Baptist University for the second time this season in the elite eight, with a trip to the Final Four in the balance tomorrow at 4:30 PM. 

Berry's journey to the elite eight has them riding in on an overall six-game winning streak, including wins in the SAA Championship over No. 8 Trinity and No. 15 Virginia Wesleyan in the Round of 32. Throughout their showings in the regional rounds, the Vikings won nine out of eleven sets in Virginia Beach on their way to the elite eight berth.  

In their first match against ETBU on October 3rd, the Vikings raced out to a 25-18 victory in the first set and just barely slipped up in the second set, as the Tigers were able to gut out a 26-24 set two win, before taking control of the match with a 3-1 victory over the Vikings. Junior Madie Whitehead was phenomenal in that game for the Vikings, ripping off 22 kills and four blocks to go along with nine digs. 

The stars were out in the regional round for the Vikings, as AVCA First Team All-American Madie Whitehead and All-SAA Honorable Mention Keira Kruk combined for 81 kills over the course of three games in the regional round. AVCA Rookie of the Year and All-American Ava Brovet has been up to her usual dominant activities as a setter, with 132 assists so far in the NCAA Tournament. The key to the game, though, against ETBU's high-powered offense will be the anchor of the defense in NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team member Andrea Hurt. The junior dug out 76 attacks in the first three games of the tournament, and she will be the main catalyst of the Viking defense. 

Undefeated East Texas Baptist will undoubtedly look to senior Graycee Mosley to pace their scoring, as she leads them with 520 kills. That total is 189 more than their second most effective attacker in Lara Hornsby. Hornsby also provides a strong presence on the front line with 331 kills on the season. The Mosely/Hornsby duo combined for 34 kills in the first matchup this year against the Vikings. Their backline presence is also stout, as Callie Humphrey has 466 total digs to command the Tiger defense. 

The winner of this one will move on to the Final Four to face either La Verne or UW-Eau Claire on Thursday at 7:30 PM.  

For more information, visit the NCAA Championships Page: 2025 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship