Newark, NJ – The Southern Virginia men's volleyball team, ranked #2 in the all of D3, continued their undefeated streak during their road trip to New Jersey, defeating conference opponents Kean and Rutgers-Newark with scores of 3-0 and 3-2, respectively.
In the first game, the Knights engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Kean until a five-point spree put them ahead. Kean fought back, narrowing the lead to just four points, but Christian Sheaffer sealed the set with four consecutive kills, securing a 25-21 win. Southern Virginia dominated the second and third sets, finishing with scores of 25-12 and 25-16, respectively, showcasing their offensive prowess.
Christian Sheaffer led the team with 19 kills and also demonstrated defensive excellence, tying his season-high in digs with 11. Tyler Sheaffer contributed another impressive performance with 40 assists, marking his fourth such match of the season, while Kyler Evans led the team in blocks with three.
In the second game, Southern Virginia was pushed to five sets for the first time this season, with 11 Knights seeing court time. The first set showcased Southern Virginia's strength as they embarked on a six-point run, establishing a four-point lead. Despite a back-and-forth exchange of points, Christian Sheaffer and Quin Shumway delivered crucial kills, clinching the set 25-17.
The Knights began to lose their rhythm in the second set, committing uncharacteristic errors that led to a five-point deficit. However, Christian Sheaffer and Tyler Sheaffer maintained their dynamic attack, narrowing the lead to just two points. Unfortunately, a service error followed by back-to-back service aces against the Knights extended the gap, resulting in a 25-20 loss in the second set.
The third set followed a similar pattern, with service errors plaguing both teams' scores as they struggled to establish a rhythm. Southern Virginia found themselves playing catch-up, capitalizing on occasional reprieves from the frequent Raiders' service errors, but ultimately fell short in the third set with a score of 22-25.
The fourth and fifth set marked a return to form for the Knights. Despite initially trailing 8-13, they rallied with long runs of unstoppable attacks, led by Jeremy Brown and Samuel Candland, to seize the lead. Tyler Sheaffer joined the action with back-to-back kills, securing a 25-19 victory in the fourth set. The final set highlighted Rutgers' vulnerability to service errors, allowing Samuel Candland to dominate at the net with four kills, leading the Knights to a decisive 15-11 set win.
In addition to the game dynamics, Christian Sheaffer showcased another impressive performance with 19 kills, maintaining his stellar form throughout the match. Tyler Sheaffer contributed significantly, tallying another 40 assists while also playing a crucial role in defense with 10 digs and two blocks. Quin Shumway stood out defensively, leading the team in blocks with four, adding to the Knights' defensive prowess.
Southern Virginia now prepares for one more away game against Marymount University on Wednesday, April 3rd, with the match starting at 6:00pm, before concluding their regular season with a home game on Saturday, April 6th.
For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University men's volleyball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightmvolleyball on Instagram.
