BUENA VISTA, VA. — The Southern Virginia University Women's Volleyball team hosted the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament Tuesday night, taking on Pfeiffer University in Knight Arena. After four sets, the Knights advanced to the conference semifinals, taking down the Falcons 3-1.
Courtney Pinkston led all players with 19 kills, followed by Sydney Hopkin with 10 and Jilane Pedersen with nine. Sage Matheny handled the ball well, dishing out 42 assists while recording a career-high eight service aces.
Defensively, Emma Steiger did what she does best, bringing up 23 digs, along with six aces. Pedersen and Clyde both had three blocks, while Pinkston added two.
How It Happened:
After going up 4-3, Southern Virginia used the momentum of three consecutive Jessica Ensley aces to go on an 8-0 run to jump ahead 12-3 early on in the first. Later on, Emma Steiger took over, leading a 7-2 run with two aces, putting the team up 21-8. Sydney Hopkin ended the first with a kill, winning the set 25-11.
The Falcons punched back in the second, hindering an eight-point comeback by the Knights to take the 26-24 overtime set victory.
Pfeiffer clenched their momentum, carrying into the third set, going up 7-4 off a four-point run. Midway through, Southern Virginia grabbed their first lead of the set, using a Pinkston kill to lead the team on a 4-0 run, going ahead 18-16. A final 6-1 run, capped by a Hopkin and Pedersen block gave back the match lead to the Knights 2-1.
With the final set evened at 11, Sage Matheny used two of her aces to lead the squad on a 5-0 run, grabbing the 16-11 lead. Both teams went back and forth the remainder of the set before a final 6-1 locked in the 3-1 match victory.
Up Next:
Southern Virginia takes on Salem in the USA South Conference Semifinals on Thursday, November 3 in Knight Arena. Match 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.
