LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. — The Berry College volleyball team picked up a four-set victory over Covenant College on Tuesday evening at the Barnes PE Center, defeating the Scots 25-14, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23. The Vikings improved to 10-2 overall with the win.
Berry came out strong in the opening set, quickly establishing a lead behind its offense and service game. After Covenant took an early 3-2 advantage, the Vikings answered with three straight points, including back-to-back service aces from
Ailee England. England's serving continued to create pressure as Berry moved in front 7-3.
Madie Whitehead then helped extend the Berry lead with a kill before adding a service ace to put the Vikings ahead 11-5. After Covenant trimmed the deficit, Berry continued to answer with kills from Whitehead and a kill from Dahl. Berry created its biggest separation late in the opening set. With the Vikings leading 15-12,
Shelby Harris and Whitehead recorded consecutive kills to push the advantage to 18-12. England then delivered another service ace before kills from
Cali Armstead,
Ailee England and Harris helped Berry build a 22-12 lead. Berry eventually closed out the first set 25-14.
The Vikings carried that momentum into the second set. Berry and Covenant traded points early, but England again played a major role from the service line. With Berry leading 5-2, England recorded a service ace and then helped force consecutive Covenant attack errors as Berry moved ahead 8-2. Berry maintained its advantage throughout the middle portion of the set. Kruk contributed kills while Whitehead added another ace, and the Vikings pushed their lead to 16-12. Berry then closed the set with another strong stretch. Whitehead recorded a kill at 21-13, followed by another Whitehead kill to make it 22-13. Berry finished the set with a 25-17 victory to take a 2-0 match lead.
Covenant responded in the third set, but Berry continued to battle throughout the frame. The Vikings stayed within one point early before taking a 4-3 lead on a kill from
Keira Kruk. Whitehead later recorded a kill and a service ace as Berry moved ahead 9-8. Berry continued to trade points with Covenant as the set remained close. Kruk, Whitehead and
Andrea Hurt all contributed kills during the middle portion of the set, while Dahl added a service ace to help Berry take an 18-13 lead. The Vikings continued to fight as the set reached its final points. Whitehead recorded a kill to put Berry ahead 23-17, but Covenant answered with a late run. Berry reached set point at 24-20, but Covenant scored several straight points to take a 25-23 victory and force a fourth set.
Berry responded immediately in the fourth set. After Covenant scored the opening point, the Vikings answered with consecutive points, including a kill from
Ava Brovet and a kill from
Keira Kruk. The teams continued to trade points before Berry moved ahead 7-5 behind kills from Dahl and Whitehead. Whitehead continued to provide a spark for the Vikings, recording another kill and a service ace as Berry took a 9-8 lead. The set remained tight, with the teams tied at 10-10 before Berry moved in front again. Berry pushed ahead 14-11 following a Brovet kill and then extended the lead to 16-12. England added a kill, and Dahl followed with a service ace to help Berry maintain its advantage at 18-13. Covenant battled back late, but Berry continued to answer. Whitehead recorded another kill to put the Vikings ahead 20-15, while Brovet and Whitehead helped Berry reach 23 points. With the score tied closely in the final stretch, Berry held on to finish the set 25-23 and secure the 3-1 victory.
Whitehead led Berry's offense with 22 kills while hitting .500, adding five blocks and three service aces for 28.0 points. Kruk finished with 12 kills and 13 digs, while Dahl added five kills, three blocks and a service ace. Brovet directed the Berry offense with 41 assists and also recorded 13 digs. Hurt led the Vikings defensively with 16 digs, while Harris added 11 digs. England finished with four service aces, helping Berry pressure Covenant throughout the match. Berry finished with 52 kills and hit .280 as a team. The Vikings also had advantages in assists, 47-44, blocks, 8-2, and digs, 69-58.
With the victory, Berry improved to 10-2 overall. The Vikings continue SAA play at home on Friday at 7 p.m. vs Centre.
