The Southern Virginia men's volleyball team's remarkable journey culminated in a hard-fought battle that ended in a heartbreaker against NYU in the 2024 NCAA D3 Quarterfinals. Despite a valiant effort, Southern Virginia succumbed to NYU in a closely contested match, with set scores of 25-18, 19-25, 23-25, 25-15, and 13-15.
With their heads held high, Southern Virginia concludes their impressive season with a remarkable 29-1 record. Despite the loss, the team showcased their formidable skills and resilience throughout the tournament.
The NYU defense proved to be a formidable obstacle for Southern Virginia's high-flying hitters, amassing an impressive 16 blocks. Despite this challenge, the Knights maintained their offensive prowess, leading in kills (61-45), assists (58-38), and digs (58-42) throughout the match.
In the opening set, Southern Virginia asserted their dominance with a convincing 25-18 victory, highlighted by a stellar six-point run led by Jeremy Brown, Christian Sheaffer, and Kyler Evans, who all contributed crucial kills.
However, the Knights faced setbacks in the second and third sets, as NYU capitalized on service aces and blocks to secure narrow victories.
Undeterred, Southern Virginia showcased their resilience in the fourth set, embarking on an unanswered 9-point run en route to a commanding 25-15 win. Despite their strong performance, the Knights fell short in the final set, plagued once again by attack errors and service errors, resulting in a narrow 13-15 loss.
Despite holding NYU to a .168 hitting percentage, Southern Virginia's efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome their opponents' determined defense.
Christian Sheaffer and Kyler Evans led the team in kills with 15 and 14, respectively, while Jeremy Brown contributed 12 kills. Justin Madsen made significant contributions with 16 digs, showcasing his defensive prowess.
As the season draws to a close, the team bids farewell to senior Tyler Sheaffer, whose contributions both on and off the court have been invaluable since joining the team in 2021. His leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on the program.
While the tournament may have ended in disappointment, Southern Virginia remains proud of their achievements and looks forward to building upon their success in the seasons to come.
COURTESY OF SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION