MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - On September 13th, the wait was finally over for a very long-awaited match between Berry and Emory. This game was of ultimate importance,  as the Vikings honored their alumni with pride and a 3-1 win over the Eagles. 

The first set started with Emory scoring the first point, but not without Blakely Barnes pulling off a great block to get that ball back. After the play, Emory got the ball back and scored a couple more points to gain the lead. The Vikings would not give in though, especially when Madie Whitehead performed a great strike, gaining a point for the Vikings. 

During the first few minutes of the set, both teams were going back and forth trying to gain the lead, with Emory ahead. Some spikes from Ava Brovet and Whitehead are were crucial for Berry to stay within striking distance. 

In addition to keeping close and tying with Emory later in the set, Barnes continued to show off with another quick block, keeping the ball for the Vikings. 

With both teams maintaining great defense, Emory seemed to come off short with their serves , gifting the Vikings some free points. 

As the first set continued on, Underwood plays off a block after being behind one point, tying with Emory again. Because of this play the Vikings get to serve and score two more points now officially gaining the lead. 

Things got intense near the end of the set as the Vikings sat at 23 points with Emory at 21. As the Vikings neared set-point, both teams were close enough to take the set. 

After a quick time out, Barnes quickly scored another point. Now sitting at set point, to which then the Vikings went ahead and scored the last point, not giving Emory a chance and taking the victory for the first set. After being behind at the beginning, the Vikings showed a great deal of resilience and really pushed through at the end of this set. 

The second set was again similar to the last set with Emory starting off in the lead by 5 points with the Vikings behind with 2. 

Cali Armstead and Whitehead turned out to make a great one-two punch as they worked together to gain more points for the Vikings to catch up with Emory. Armstead proceeded to slam down another point gaining one point behind Emory. As another point from the Vikings is scored they are now tied with Emory just like how they were last set. 

As the set goes on, Emory took the lead with the Vikings behind only by a couple points. The set started to look more and more like the last set, this left fans  wondering if it will end up with the Vikings redeeming themselves near the end. 

As the set continued, the Vikings seemed to redeem themselves as they had gained the lead just like they did in the first set.  

Nearing the end of the set, Emory starts to take the lead, but due to great plays from the Vikings, especially from Underwood and Whitehead, making great plays left and right, the Vikings scored their 25th point and ended up taking this set away, victorious again. 

 Onto the third set, the Vikings started off scoring the first point to take  the lead.  

Emory was making sure the Vikings stay on their toes as their offense started to click. 

Keira Kruk got to show off, making a couple of strong blocks, earning the Vikings some much-needed points with Underwood following close behind scoring some points as well. 

The set continued with Emory gaining the lead. Some points were scored with the courtesy of the assist of Andrea Hurt, as well as some impressive blocks from Barnes were also shown, proving her great skills. Underwood added to that as she continued to score no problem. 

As the third set came to an end, it seemed Emory had continued to score, leaving the Vikings behind and taking this set for themselves despite a valiant Viking effort.  

The fourth set started off with the Vikings and Emory going back-to-back, starting off with an early tie at 2. 

The Vikings gained the lead quickly with the help of Armstead, Underwood, and Whitehead. Throughout the set, other players began to make themselves known by helping the Vikings score or assist in achieving points. 

Both Underwood and Whitehead were showing off this set as they helped to make sure the Vikings stay in the lead, keeping Emory at a distance by a few points. 

Keira Kruk showed promise as she kept a ball in play and made sure it passed to the other side, scoring a point for her team. 

As the set comes to an end, Underwood and Whitehead continue to dominate up top as many times as they could to keep their team ahead for the win as the final point came from an Underwood serve. The Vikings then took it home 3-1 which is a win that will have huge implications on the national rankings. 

This win was truly remarkable as the Vikings won 3 sets out of 4. They  got to shine during this game and show off all that they can do. There was a certain calmness that surrounded the Vikings when they faced adversity.  

There were so many great and powerful stars in this game and it showed with how quick some of the points were scored and how much of a great comeback the Vikings made around the ends of sets 1,2, and 4. Lura Underwood took home Mount Berry Tournament MVP, while Madie Whitehead earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team!

The Vikings will be in action again on September 20th for the Trinity Tri in San Antonio, Texas.