ATLANTA, Ga. - The Vikings hit the road to the Emory National Invitational where they split with Washington and Lee University and top ranked Emory University, 3-0 and 1-3 respectively.
Game One Against Washington and Lee University:
In the first set, both teams battled back and forth with four lead changes and no team being able to pull further than four points from the other. Tied at 18, the Vikings 4-0 run beginning with a kill by
Lura Underwood sparked momentum for Berry. Washington and Lee began to come back and took the lead back at the 23rd point but
Olivia Mallow settled the battle with two final kills to boost her team up 1-0.
Another 25-23 set between the teams caused tension and although Washington and Lee finalized the set with 16 kills, two more than Berry, their nine errors deemed beneficial for the Vikings who took the second set.
With 7 blocks in the game, it was no surprise the
Cypress Guenther surpassed her 200 career blocks milestone mark in the match as she held four of the seven.
Thirteen Viking kills in the third set lifted them past W&L for their second win in the National Invitational. Berry never gave up their lead after the first point of the third set and the team was led by nine kills from
Jazzy Innis for the game.
Game Two Against #5 Emory University:
In the ranked rematch after a 3-0 loss on September 30th, the Vikings had a lot to prove as both teams sit at the top of Region VI Rankings.
Bella Boston led the team with 19 kills and
Lindsey MacDiarmid led in assists with 43, seven shy of her season high 50.
Four lead changes consumed the first set with neither team being able to get ahead by more than two points, the Vikings and Eagles were proving why they sit at the top. The Eagles closed out the set with a 25-23 hard fought victory.
The second set consisted of the same battle but the Eagles 17 kills with one error lifted them up 2-0 in the match.
Berry began to prove themselves in the third, refusing to be shutout, Boston posted seven kills in a 25-23 set victory over the #5 Eagles.
Pushing into the fourth set, Emory took back control and maximized with 15 kills compared the Vikings 7 as they ended the match 3-1.
This marks the end of the regular season for Berry, catch them in action during the SAA tournament on Friday against Rhodes College.
Â
