MOUNT BERRY, Ga. — The Berry College volleyball team battled No. 14 Centre College to five sets Friday night at the Cage Center before falling 3-2, (25-23, 18-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-12). The Vikings moved to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in Southern Athletic Association play following the hard-fought conference matchup.
Berry opened the night by taking an early 4-2 lead in the first set behind kills from
Cali Armstead and an ace from
Ailee England. The Vikings continued to battle throughout the set, with
Madie Whitehead and Armstead providing key kills. Berry stayed within striking distance late, cutting the deficit to 24-22 before England and Armstead helped the Vikings reach 23 points, but Centre closed out the opening frame 25-23.
Berry responded strongly in the second set. After the teams played to a 5-5 tie, the Vikings began to create separation behind kills from
Shelby Harris,
Maddie Dahl and Armstead. Berry pushed its lead to 11-9 before extending the advantage to 17-14.
Elise Trimble then sparked another run with a service ace, followed by a kill from Dahl, as the Vikings moved ahead 17-14. Berry continued to control the set late, with
Andrea Hurt recording a service ace and Harris finishing the set with a kill to give the Vikings a 25-18 victory.
The Vikings carried that momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead with a Whitehead kill and service ace. Berry continued to build its advantage, taking a 10-3 lead after a Brovet ace and consecutive blocks from Whitehead and Armstead. The Vikings maintained control throughout the set, extending their lead to 15-8 before closing on a 25-14 win. England contributed an ace late in the set, while Dahl, Armstead and Whitehead delivered important kills during Berry's dominant stretch.
Centre answered in the fourth set, taking a 3-0 lead before Berry battled back behind kills from England, Armstead and Whitehead. The Vikings remained within striking distance, but Centre pulled away late to force a deciding fifth set.
Berry again battled in the fifth, but Centre held on to take the final set 15-12 and secure the 3-2 victory.
Whitehead led Berry offensively with 14 kills and added six blocks and 14 digs for a strong all-around performance. Armstead followed with 12 kills and five blocks, while Dahl recorded 10 kills. Harris added nine kills, and
Keira Kruk finished with eight kills.
Ava Brovet directed the Berry offense with 45 assists while also recording 16 digs. Hurt led the Vikings defensively with 31 digs and added four assists and a service ace. England recorded three aces, while Whitehead added two.
Berry finished the match with 53 kills, eight aces, seven blocks and 95 digs. The Vikings will look to they will bounce back in their next SAA matchup vs. Sewanee at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
