BUENA VISTA, Va. The Southern Virginia Volleyball team kept to
its winning ways as it swept Eastern Mennonite 3-0. The Knights won
the match with scores of 25-19, 25-15 and 25-19. Ali Krebs helped
lead the way with 20 assists while Brynn Hansen again led the
Knights in kills with 8.
The effort by the team was a well rounded one in which several
players contributed. SVU jumped to a 10-6 lead in game 1 and never
looked back. The lead increased to 16-11 before the hosts distanced
themselves by six for the game win.
"We had some tough early tourneys," said Head Coach Brian
Pendleton. "We thought we were only playing average volleyball, but
we actually were doing good, but the competition did not allow us
to show our best. To get that first game against a 2-1 ODAC team
means a lot. It shows our progress."
In the second game the Knights established a stranglehold on the
game and put the match truly out of reach with the 25-15 win.
Superb defensive play by Hansen, along with blocks by Rika Larsen
created the difficulties for the Royals that they could not
overcome. At 23-12 the Knights had the breathing room they needed
to play confident and finish off the visitors in the final game.
The newfound confidence has been apparent to the players.
"We played well tonight," said Senior Defensive Specialist Jessi
Gibbons. "Our chemistry on the court is great. I think we struggled
early on in the season, but we've worked hard to gel and our
results speak for themselves. It feels great to win."
The third game was more of a fight for the Knights, as the
Royals fought hard to get back in the match. EMU took a 9-7 lead
and looked to make a game of the contest, but the Knights went on a
5-0 run to take back the lead, and they never looked back. The lead
continually increased from there, and SVU eventually won the game
as well as the match when they recorded the 25-19 victory. Blocking
was the key to the third game according to Pendleton.
"We won that third game with blocking kills, and not the
offensive kind," said Pendleton. "To get the 3-0 sweep against them
is impressive. Hopefully this streak continues, and we get on a
roll as we head to qualifying for the USCAA Tournament."
SVU now has a record of 8-11. They host West Virginia Tech Oct.
1 in a double-header matchup. Game times are set at 6:00 pm and
8:00 pm.
