The Berry College volleyball started off the 2021 Southern Athletic Association tournament with a strong performance Friday at the Cage when the Vikings handled Rhodes in straight sets to advance to the SAA semifinals.

            The win improves the No. 12-ranked Vikings to 23-2 overall heading into Saturday's semis when they face Sewanee at 6 p.m. at the Cage.

            The No.1 seeded Vikings took command early in the first set and offensively ran the table, winning the opener 25-14. 

            The second set, much like the first, was all Berry 25-15. Rhodes put up a fight in the third set challenging Berry, but the Vikings relied on their offensive rhythm and momentum, taking the final set 25-19 to close out the victory.

            Cypress Gunther led Berry with 16 kills and Molly Bergin had nine, Emily Rapach paced the Vikings in assists with 29, and Laura Beier ended the day with 18 digs.

            In the other SAA semifinal, Birmingham-Southern and Hendrix collide at 4 p.m.