DANVILLE, Ky. - In a thrilling showdown, the No. 2 seeded Berry College volleyball team triumphed over the top-seeded Centre College in four sets (24-26, 27-25, 25-20, 25-21) to clinch the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Tournament Championship in Danville, KY on Sunday afternoon.

Hitting their stride at the perfect moment, Berry has secured a bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament with an opportunity to keep the well-oiled machine full steam ahead.

The Vikings (16-13) did not look like they were ready for the Colonels' offensive prowess in the first set. Facing a 17-9 deficit with nine errors early on, the Vikings appeared to be relinquishing their hold on the trophy. The Vikings surged with a 10-5 run, fueled by Lindsey MacDiarmid's pinpoint ball placement and Bella Boston's powerful kills, leveling the set at 24-24. However, that was the last time Berry's ball found the floor in the first set, falling to an early 1-0 deficit as the teams geared up for the second set.

The Colonel crowd got loud at the beginning of the second set, but Berry got louder. With a new look of determination, the Vikings gave the Colonels little chance to settle in. Totaling eight kills, Boston and Lura Underwood's offensive expertise stunned the Colonels. Both teams continue to respond to one another until they hit a stalemate at 25-25. A kill by Cypress Guenther gave the Vikings the go ahead, and a block by Boston secured set two for the Vikings at 27-25.

Evening the scales, the Vikings relinquished a new wave of aggression at the start of the third set. Notching six kills as part of a 7-1 run, Berry was in control for the majority of the set. A total of 16 kills elevated Berry's lead to 24-20. A Colonel error in the last point of the third propelled Berry to a 2-1 advantage as they entered the fourth set.

In a win or go home situation, the Centre side of the court appeared defeated. The Colonels had the advantage 3-1 early in the set, but that would be their final lead of the 2024 season. A kill by Boston tied the score at 3-3, and in a single moment, the Vikings broke the scoring wide open. A 5-0 run ignited by a kill from Underwood and a service ace from Kara Schmit gave Berry a 15-9 advantage. Quietening the Colonel fans, Berry's offensive attack was unable to be stopped. After the final kill from Boston, the Vikings took care of business in Danville, winning the set 25-21 and hoisting up the tournament trophy.

Among the stellar individual performances, Underwood double-doubled with 17 kills and 25 digs. Keira Kruk double-doubled with 13 kills and 16 digs. Boston totaled 13 digs over the four sets, while MacDiarmid accomplished 47 assists on the day.

The All-Tournament team included:
Lura Underwood - MVP
Bella Boston
Lindsey MacDiarmid

The Vikings will await their fate as the 2024 NCAA Division III volleyball selection show will take place on Nov. 18.