BUENA VISTA, VA. — The Southern Virginia University Women's Volleyball team debuted in their home opener in Knight Arena Tuesday night taking on the University of Lynchburg. Avenging their loss from last year, the Hornets took home the 3-1 victory.
 
Southern Virginia came into the game with a 1-2 record following a three-game weekend at the Marlin Invitational at Virginia Wesleyan University, while Lynchburg entered with a 2-1 record after a series at Franklin and Marshall College.
 
The Knights lead the series between the two teams 4-2 with Southern Virginia winning the last matchup last year in a sweep at Lynchburg.
 
Key Stats
Sydney Hopkin: 16 kills, .400 hitting percentage, six digs
Emma Steiger: 26 digs, 3 service aces
Jessica Ensley: Five service aces
 
Set One

• Both teams went back and forth at the beginning of the game, but the Hornets jumped out to a 11-6 lead, led by two kills from Abbi Leeper and two Sophia Rucker aces
• The Knights were able to bounce back and come within one point 11-10 after three Lynchburg errors and a Courtney Pinkston kill
• The Hornets were able to jump back out to a five point lead 18-13 late in the first set, but the Knights again bounced back, coming within two points off kills from Brenna Clyde and a block by Jilane Pedersen
• Lynchburg closed out the first set with a 6-1 scoring run, taking the 1-0 lead in the match after a 25-18 set victory
• Sydney Hopkin and Courtney Pinkston led the team with two kills each
• Emma Steiger recorded five digs, while Jessi Fietkau added four

 Set Two

• Both teams went back and forth the entirety of the second set with Lynchburg pulling ahead by three points 20-17
• The Hornets closed out the second set with a 5-1 scoring run led by two Abbi Leeper kills
• Sydney Hopkin and Courtney Pinkston again led the team with two kills while Pinkston led the team with four digs

 Set Three

• After the Hornets gained the 4-3 lead early in the third set, the Knights raced to an 11-4 lead courtesy of three Jessica Ensley service aces
• Two points later, Southern Virginia used an 11-3 scoring run sparked by a Jilane Pedersen kill to jump to a 22-9 lead
• The Knights were able to snag a set from the Hornets, making the match 2-1 after Sydney Hopkin recorded the final kill of the set, winning 25-17
• Hopkin led all players with seven kills, while Jessica Ensley recorded three service aces
• Emma Steiger led all players with nine digs

 Set Four

• Midway through the final set with Lynchburg holding the 14-12 lead, the Hornets jumped to a 20-14 lead off a 6-2 scoring run ignited by a Kailey Keough kill
• The Hornets locked in the 3-1 victory, taking the fourth set 25-18 following three consecutive Keough kills
• Hopkin led the team with five kills, while Pinkston recorded seven digs

Up Next
The Knights travels to Lexington, Virginia on Friday, September 9, to compete in the Washington & Lee Tournament for a four-game weekend. Action begins Friday morning at 9 am, taking on Guilford College. Visit knightathletics.com for live stats and streaming options.
 
Follow the women's volleyball team @knightwvolleyball on Instagram and @knightwvolley on Twitter for more updates and details on the team.