Buena Vista, VA - The Southern Virginia University women's volleyball team took their fans on another historic run this fall. After finishing below the program's now ambitious expectations one season ago, the Knights returned with a vengeance en route to a record-breaking season.

In her seventh season as Head Coach, Debby Baker led her squad to a 22-12 record and their third USA South Tournament title in four seasons. While the season culminated in several program milestones, it was far from easy.

During the early stages of their non-conference schedule, the wins didn't come as they hoped they would. After losing their USA South opening match to Brevard in five sets to drop their record to 3-9, a fuse was lit inside the Knights' locker room. Only two hours after that defeat, they swept through North Carolina Wesleyan and looked to flip the script on their season.

This year's edition of the Knights was led by a small yet talented class of seniors. Sydney Bassett, Brenna Clyde, and Jessica Stone rallied their team to a much-needed winning streak, firmly planting their feet back on top of the conference standings.

The extraordinary defensive play of Gracie Fulton was also instrumental in the surge of momentum that filled the room. On top of her quality play, Fulton credits her teammates' positive relationships for getting them over the hump.

"The culture and relationships we have built with the leadership of our seniors are what drives our program. A team that doesn't trust and rely on each other outside of the gym won't find success on the court."  Senior captain Brenna Clyde echoed her teammates' comments, also citing their improvement each year as a team. 

"We work hard in practice and in the weight room throughout the year. I think this work ethic and constant desire to improve has made us better every year," stated Clyde. As the winning streak grew, it was evident that the culture they worked so hard to establish was paying dividends.

Sydney Bassett, the Knight's leading attacker and returning First Team All-Conference member, was in the midst of a season to remember. On top of her stellar all-around play, she made history by recording her 1,247th career kill in a victory over Meredith, making her the program's all-time leader.

Bassett was also proud of her team's resilience at key points of the season. "A highlight for me was winning the five-set game against Averett after losing to them earlier in the season. We had already played a four-set match and were tired, but we showed the kind of team we really were by beating them.

Days later, Brenna Clyde reached another milestone. She became the third Knight to reach 1,000 kills in her career during a sweep over Mary Baldwin to improve the team's record to 10-9. 

One of the season's best stories was Ruby Blamires's emergence as the Knights' starting setter. Initially labeled as a defensive specialist, Blamires was thrust into the spotlight when a need for the position became apparent. In the same match that Bassett eclipsed 1,000 kills, Blamires also made her way into the record books by recording 54 assists in a single match, tying her for first on the program's all-time list.

Thanks to wins over regionally ranked teams Methodist and Salem, the win streak ultimately reached eleven games with a sweep of Brevard College on October 18th, improving their record to 14-9. Then, in the final week of the regular season, Southern Virginia came up big in the clutch with two wins to ensure the top seed and rights to host each round of the USA South Tournament. Outside hitter Brookelyn Madland could sense that the team was on the verge of something special. 

"One of my favorite games this year has to be when we swept Methodist on their home court in the final game of the regular season. I feel that was when we started to really come together as a team."

In the conference tournament, the Knights breezed through the first two rounds, setting up a showdown in the final against the number two seed, Salem. Despite dropping the first set, a monster defensive day propelled them to win the next three sets to claim the championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years.

Head Coach Debby Baker, recipient of her first Coach of the Year award in the USA South, emphasized the importance of every member of the team throughout the season.  

"The competition in the gym was at such a higher level. I can point to every single player and tell you their contribution to the team. Every player. You don't always have teams where you can point to each player and say that. This was one of those teams that I am always going to remember in a great way."

Sydney Bassett was named Tournament MVP and Player of the Year in the USA South and was joined by Brenna Clyde, Ruby Blamires, and Gracie Fulton on the All-Conference list.

While another conference championship was sweet, the Knights were determined to make noise on the national stage. For their opening match in the NCAA Tournament, the team traveled to Atlanta to face off with one of the best teams in the country, Trinity. 

While they would lose the match to end their season, the Knights showed that they can compete with the best teams in the country. They also showed that a strong bond between teammates, coaching staff, and other supporters can be the difference between a championship season and disappointment.

"I have been so blessed to have such great young ladies who are also great people as well… I have the best staff! I am so lucky to be able to coach with my husband, Jon, and my son, Logan. Along with them, I have Taryn, Jeremy, and AJ volunteering to help us," stated Coach Baker.

As the Knights turn the page on 2024, another season of opportunities comes knocking in the new year.

For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightwvolleyball on Instagram.