DANVILLE, Ky. - The Berry Vikings wrapped up SAA play for the 2024 season on the road at No.1 Centre this afternoon, defeating them in five, 3-2.
With Centre already having captured the SAA regular season title, the Vikings knew the battle they were about to embark on.Â
Keira Kruk posted her second consecutive double-double on the day and
Lura Underwood led the attacking portion for the Vikings with a season-high 17 kills which matches her career high set last season at Hendrix.
Berry started in the win column from the first set with a 25-20 victory over the Colonels. The game was evenly matched until a 4-0 run from the home team put them up 11-7. The Vikings refused to give up and a
Lilly Teagle kill sparked a huge 11-0 run down 20-14 to come back and take the first set in a crazy fashion. Two kills from Underwood and two service aces by
Andrea Hurt also aided in the huge comeback.
Centre was not satisfied with their first set performance and came back to take set two 25-22. With many back and forth affairs in set two, they carried over to set three, but this time the final was in favor of Berry, 25-21. The Colonels geared back up for set four, refusing to go down in four and take that loss on their home court. Both teams continued to battle and exchange points. Underwood continued being a fuse for the Vikings with key points, but the Colonels took set four 25-21 to tie the game up at two all.
The fifth set began with a four straight for the Vikings. The early run helped them keep an arms length distance from Centre and take the game at 15-11.
Berry looks to carry this energy into the SAA tournament which will be hosted at Centre, but first they have a quick trip to Newport News, Virginia for three non-conference matchups.
