SEWANEE, Tenn. – The Berry volleyball team responded after dropping the opening set to defeat Southern Athletic Association opponent Sewanee 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 29-27, 25-22) on Sunday at Juhan Gymnasium. The Vikings improved to 19-4 overall and 12-2 in SAA play with the victory.
Berry struggled to find its rhythm early as Sewanee jumped out to a 5-0 advantage in the opening set. Keira Kruk put the Vikings on the board with a kill, but the Tigers continued to build their lead and went ahead 12-4. Berry attempted to cut into the deficit behind kills from Madie Whitehead and Ava Brovet, but Sewanee maintained control throughout the frame. The Tigers eventually pushed their advantage to 21-12 before taking the opening set 25-16.
The Vikings began to settle in during the second set. After falling behind 9-5, Berry worked its way back into the frame behind kills from Kruk and a service ace from Brovet. Shelby Harris added a kill to tie the score at 12-12 as the two teams continued to trade points. Sewanee later built a 21-18 advantage and looked to take control of the match, but Berry responded with the biggest run of the set.
Whitehead started the comeback with a kill before Berry took advantage of its play at the net and from the service line. Kruk recorded consecutive service aces during the run, while Cali Armstead and Whitehead combined on blocks to help the Vikings score seven straight points. Harris capped the run with a kill from Brovet as Berry took the second set 25-21 and tied the match at one set apiece.
Berry faced another challenge in the third set after Sewanee built a 12-7 advantage. The Vikings slowly cut into the deficit, with Kruk, Whitehead and Harris helping Berry get back into the frame. Berry trailed 16-12 before continuing its comeback. Whitehead delivered a pair of kills to eventually give the Vikings a 22-20 advantage, setting up a back-and-forth finish.
Sewanee answered and eventually took a 24-23 lead, putting Berry one point away from dropping the set. Whitehead responded with another kill to even the score at 24-24 before adding a second kill to put the Vikings ahead. Neither side was able to create separation as the score reached 27-27. Kruk then delivered a kill to give Berry the advantage before Armstead finished the set with consecutive kills, securing a 29-27 win and giving the Vikings a 2-1 lead in the match.
Berry carried that momentum directly into the fourth set. After Sewanee scored the opening point, Kruk answered with a kill before the Vikings took control behind Brovet at the service line. Berry scored six straight points to take a 7-1 advantage, with Brovet recording
three service aces during the early run. Armstead also added a kill as the Vikings quickly put themselves in position to close out the match.
The Vikings maintained their advantage as Harris recorded consecutive kills to push Berry ahead 12-8 before Whitehead followed with a service ace. Sewanee did not go away, cutting the Berry advantage to 15-12 and eventually getting within one point at 21-20. Berry responded when Harris recorded a kill to make it 22-20 before a Sewanee attack error gave the Vikings a three-point cushion. After the Tigers scored once more, Kruk delivered a kill to give Berry match point. Sewanee answered again, but Kruk finished the match with another kill from Brovet to secure the 25-22 fourth-set victory.
Kruk led the Vikings offensively with 13 kills while adding 15 digs and three service aces. Whitehead followed with 12 kills and nine digs, while Harris finished with nine kills and 11 digs.
Brovet contributed across the board for Berry, finishing with 30 assists, 11 digs, four kills and a team-high four service aces. Andrea Hurt led the Vikings with 16 digs and added four assists.
Berry also had a strong performance at the net, finishing with 11 total blocks compared to three for Sewanee. Armstead led the effort with eight block assists while adding four kills on a .300 hitting percentage. Whitehead added four block assists, while Brovet contributed three.
The Vikings finished the match with 43 kills, 38 assists, 65 digs and eight service aces on their way to their 12th conference victory. They continue their play next Saturday, 10/31 vs. Millsaps at 11 a.m.
