ROCKY MOUNT, NC. - The Southern Virginia University Women's Volleyball traveled to NC Wesleyan for a Saturday morning quad match, taking down Methodist 3-1 and sweeping NC Wesleyan. The wins solidify the team's No. 1 seed for the USA South Conference Tournament for the second consecutive year.
Game One: Methodist
Courtney Pinkston led all players with 22 kills while recording a game-high four aces on the day for the Knights. Freshman Sage Matheny had a solid game with 37 assists while Emma Steiger locked down the defense with 27 digs.
After a brief setback in the first, Southern Virginia bounced back strong with three consecutive set victories. Midway through the second set, Pinkston sparked a five-point run to extend the team's lead to six, 13-7 before an Ashley Torbenson block began another 8-2 run, going up 21-13 on the Monarchs. A final kill from Torbenson closed the second set, evening the match at one, with the 25-16 win.
Both teams were neck and neck going into the latter part of the third set, but Pinkston and Brenna Clyde took matters into their own hands, leading a final four-point run to take the 25-21 third set victory, putting the team up by one in the match.
The Knights made quick work of the final set, jumping ahead to a 17-10 lead topped off by two Pinkston aces. The final point of the game showcased the twins, Sage and Tatum Matheny, connecting for the kill to put an end to the match with the 25-17 set victory.
Game Two: NC Wesleyan
Courtney PInkston again led all players with 15 kills in the match, followed by Brenna Clyde with 14, and Sydney Hopkin with eight. Jessica Ensley recorded an impressive three aces, while Ashley Torbenson was a menace with four blocks. Sage Matheny did her thing, dishing out 40 assists.
After finding themselves down by one, 13-12, Ashley Torbenson said no more, recording four blocks within the teams 8-0 scoring run, to put the team up 20-13. A final three-point run off kills from Hopkin and Clyde wrapped up the first set, 25-16.
Midway through the second set, Southern Virginia used an 8-2 run to go up 18-12, before a final Pinkston kill locked in the 25-20 win, putting the team up 2-0 in the match.
The Knights smelled the sweep close by, racing to a 19-11, topped off by a kill from Hopkin and Clyde. One last 6-0 run led by two Jessica Ensley aces and two Jilane Pedersen kills completed the sweep for the team.
Southern Virginia awaits Pfeiffer in Knight Arena on Tuesday, November 1, for the first round of the 2022 USA South Conference Tournament. Time is to be determined.
For the most up to date information regarding Southern Virginia University Women's Volleyball, visit knightathletics.com and follow the team on Instagram @knightwvolleyball and on Twitter @knightwvolley.
