Buena Vista, VA - After a grueling regular season and two high-pressure tournament matches, the USA South women's volleyball season reached its climax in Buena Vista. Fittingly, the top two seeds in the conference and co-regular season champions, Salem College and Southern Virginia University, collided for the tournament final. The Knights came out victorious in four thrilling sets, winning their third conference tournament title in four years.
After facing an early three-point deficit in the first set, the Knights managed to settle in during the first frame and traded points with Salem. Sydney Bassett's red-hot start led the way for the Knights; however, Salem took set one, 26-24, to silence the home crowd.
In the second set, Southern Virginia's seniors put on a show. Not willing to let their team go down by two sets, Sydney Bassett and Brenna Clyde converted on several attacks to keep the Knights afloat. Trailing 18-20, a block from Katelyn Wankier and Brenna Clyde ignited a late-set run by the Knights to find themselves at set point. Ruby Blamires provided a sneaky attack to close the set, tying the championship match at one set apiece.
After splitting the first two sets, it was a best of three for the USA South title. The match remained close as both teams had their fair share of momentum. After facing yet another early deficit, they'd have to rely on another comeback to clinch an important third-set win.
Brookelyn Madland began to heat up, and Baylee Savage provided back-to-back service aces to grab the lead. Salem fought back, but Madland scored the last two points to put the Knights on the verge of another championship.
A thrilling fourth set also went the distance as the Knights would have to use every last ounce of energy they had to seal a victory. Consistent play from Southern Virginia put Salem on the brink of defeat as the score reached 24-20 in favor of the Knights. With the pressure at an all-time high and the Knights faithful all on their feet, the Spirits pulled off a miraculous four consecutive points to stave off the celebrations, forcing the set into extra points.
After trading the next couple of points, Ruby Blamires lofted a set for freshman middle blocker Summer Hahn, who blasted an attack off a defender's hands and out of bounds for the championship-clinching point.
After another spectacular performance in the final, Sydney Bassett was named tournament MVP, adding another accolade to one of the best careers in Southern Virginia women's volleyball history. With the win, the Knights also earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament that will commence next week.
The selection show to determine who the next will compete against in the first round of the national tournament will take place on Monday, November 18th. For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightwvolleyball on Instagram.
