SEWANEE, Tenn. – The Berry Vikings dropped to the Sewanee Tigers for the first time in program history on Sunday afternoon. In four sets (25-22, 23-25, 21-25, 24-26), the No. 13-ranked Vikings were unable to muster the offensive power to defeat the Tigers on the road in Juhan Gymnasium. Berry is now ranked third in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) standings behind Trinity University and Southwestern University heading into the SAA tournament in less than two weeks.
The Vikings (19-6, 10-4 SAA)edged out Sewanee (15-10, 8-6 SAA) in the opening set, taking control midway through the match during a 4-1 run initiated by a Tiger error. Madie Whitehead placed a perfectly timed kill to carry the Viking momentum, creating a four point lead. The Vikings were threatened late in the match by three Tiger kills and a service ace, but Berry ultimately held the lead, sealing the first set 25-22.
Nine Vikings errors ultimately led to their demise in the second frame, which consisted of 15 ties and six lead changes. Though the score was tight, the Vikings controlled the majority of the set until a stalemate was reached at 23-23. A final Viking error of the set and a timely Tiger kill sealed the set, tying the match at 1-1.
The Tigers surged to a commanding 21-13 lead in the third set. Though Shelby Harris attempted to rally the Vikings with daunting kills, Berry was unable to make it last. Sewanne took the set with a score of 25-21, gaining a 2-1 advantage heading into what would inevitably be the final set of the game.
The Vikings took control of the floor early in the fourth set. Several kills from Harris and Cali Armstead gave Berry the 9-4 advantage. The Tigers sailed to an 8-2 run to capture the lead midway through the final set, and the Vikings were unable to regain control, dropping the final set of the historic match 26-24).
Keira Kruk accumulated 11 kills on the afternoon, with Dahl and Lura Underwood closely behind at eight. Andrea Hurt notched 22 digs alongside Ava Brovet's 48 assists.
The Vikings will participate in a final weekend series at the Emory National Invitational in Atlanta to prepare for the SAA tournament the following weekend. The Vikings will face Washington and Lee University on November 7 at 4:00 p.m.
