Atlanta, GA - The Southern Virginia University women's volleyball team put together an inspiring performance against the fifteenth-ranked team in the country. After a forgettable first set, the Knights played tightly contested next two sets, outplaying their opponent for significant stretches of the match, but ultimately fell to Trinity University, 0-3.
Service aces would be the determining factor in the first set as Trinity rattled off seven of them, including two to open the match. The Knights couldn't produce many dangerous attacks and trailed 21-10 at one point, but a back-and-forth last few points of the set gave Southern Virginia reason for hope going forward.
Initially, that hope didn't seem to carry into the second set as the Knights went down 14-6. With their backs against the wall, the Knights looked to their senior leaders for a spark. Brenna Clyde responded by blasting three kills by the vaunted Trinity defense, pulling her team to within four. Sydney Bassett also recorded a couple of kills as the Knights closed the deficit to as little as three. Trinity ultimately took the set, 25-21, but the stage was set for a thrilling third frame.
Brookelyn Madland came alive to provide the Knights their first lead of the day in a do-or-die third set. Trinity fought back to seemingly take control of the set by grabbing a commanding 14-7 advantage, but a battle-tested Southern Virginia squad refused to lay down.
Madland continued to have the hot hand and was attacking from every which way. Claire Grasteit provided a lift to the team by absorbing a powerful attack from Trinity and sending it back over the net into open space to register her first kill. A five-point burst which included a huge block from Katelyn Wankier and Brenna Clyde, allowed the Knights to regain the lead, 18-17.
After falling behind by two points, Ruby Blamires continued to feed Brookelyn Madland to help the Knights remain within striking distance. Trailing 24-22 with their season on the line, Sydney Bassett played the role of captain clutch to stave off elimination, blasting a kill down the middle. Ultimately, Trinity had the last word to win a thrilling third set to move on to the next round.
Gracie Fulton was tremendous for the Knights defensively, keeping several points alive off of some of the best hitters in the country. Brookelyn Madland also stepped up to the plate to lead the team in kills with 12. The three seniors, Sydney Bassett, Brenna Clyde, and Jessica Stone, were instrumental in the team's success this year and raised the bar even higher for those who follow after their performance this postseason.
For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightswvolleyball on Instagram.
