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Men’s Volleyball Team Improves To 24-0
The Southern Virginia University men’s volleyball team, ranked second in Division III after last weekend, continued its undefeated streak during its road trip to New Jersey. The Knights improve to 24-0 by defeating Continental Volleyball Conference rivals Kean and Rutgers University-Newark by scores of 3-0 and 3-2.
In the match against Kean (13-15 overall, 0-8 CVC) on Friday, the Knights (7-0 CVC) engaged in a back-andforth battle until a five-point spree put them ahead. Kean fought b ack, n arrowing t he lead to just four points, but Christian Sheaffer sealed the set with four consecutive kills, securing a 25-21 win. The Knights dominated the second and third sets, finishing with scores of 25-12 and 25-16, respectively, showcasing their offensive prowess.
Sheaffer led SVU with 19 kills and also demonstrated defensive excellence, tying his season-high in digs with 11. Teammate Tyler Sheaffer contributed another impressive performance with 40 assists, marking his fourth such match of the season, while Kyler Evans led the Knights with three blocks.
On Saturday against Rutgers- Newark (14-11, 3-5), SVU was pushed to five sets for the first time this season, with 11 Knights seeing court time. The first set showcased the Knights’ 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. SVU found itself playing catch-up, capitalizing on occasional reprieves from the frequent Raiders’ service errors, but ultimately fell short in the third set by a score of 22-25.
The fourth and fifth sets 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 backto- back kills, securing a 25-19 victory in the fourth set. The final set highlighted Rutgers’ vulnerability to service errors, allowing 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. Shumway stood out defensively, leading the team in blocks with four, adding to the Knights’ defensive prowess.
Today, Wednesday, the Knights will take on Marymount University in Arlington at 6 p.m. SVU will conclude the regular season with a home match against Randolph-Macon College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
For the Knights’ scores, schedule and updates, visit knightathletics.com.
