By Matthew D. Stokes, BerryVikings.com Lead Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Entering the day on a nine-match winning streak, Berry's women's volleyball defeated Rhodes before dropping a five-setter against Washington and Lee on Saturday.  Set scores were 25-19, 25-15 and 25-17 and then 25-15, 22-25, 22-25,25-21 and 9-15.

The defeat to W&L halted a ten-match winning streak for Berry--one short of the program record.

To begin the afternoon, Berry swept Southern Athletic Association foe Rhodes in three sets.  Freshman Emily Stromberg totaled nine kills and 11 digs while junior Stephanie Quinn had 35 assists and 10 digs for Berry.  For the Lynx, Michelle Quina racked up 18 assists and Haley Pryor recorded nine kills.

Following this match, Berry went back to battle against Washington and Lee and opened up with a 25-15 win.  Washington and Lee responded by claiming the next two sets, setting up a must-win fourth set for Berry.  The team stepped up and took the fourth set, 25-21, forcing a decisive fifth set.  Washington and Lee jumped ahead early and earned the win, 15-9, snapping Berry's ten-match win streak.

Berry's Stromberg had 11 kills and 12 digs; Quinn picked up 46 assists and 23 digs; sophomore Meredith Hopper notched 11 kills and 10 digs; and sophomore Gretchen Kaufman put up 14 kills.  Washington and Lee's Meghan Meleski dished out 25 assists in addition to 13 digs; M.A. Boles had 16 kills and 28 digs; and Anna Lausberg had 14 kills and 17 digs.

With the loss, Berry is now 18-4 overall and a conference-leading 11-1 in SAA matchups.  Washington and Lee upped its season ledger to 18-7.

"I felt like we executed well in the Rhodes match, and we are thrilled to pick up two more conference wins on the road this weekend," said Berry Head Coach Mika Robinson.  "The match against Washington and Lee came down to ball control.  We struggled with our first contacts in sets two, three and five, and that prevented us from running the offense we wanted to run.  I was really proud of the fact that we didn't give up when our backs were against the wall after set three and even when we were down in set five."

Berry returns to The Cage Center on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The Vikings host cross-town rival Shorter at 7 p.m. It's also Dig Pink for breast cancer awareness. SEE RELEASE.