STORY COURTESY OF SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

In perhaps the most thrilling match of the Division III Men's Volleyball Tournament, the Southern Virginia University men's volleyball team defeated Juniata College in a five-set marathon to clinch a berth in the National Final.

A raucous Southern Virginia crowd carried the Knights through the opening set. While both teams looked rather shaky on the attack, mixed in with several service errors, the Southern Virginia defense began establishing itself.

Kristo Bianchin and Samuel Candland each recorded three blocks to keep the Knights in front of their opponents. However, Juniata stuck with it and held set point several times during a crucial opening frame.

Tied at 28, a kill from Christian Sheaffer ignited a mini Southern Virginia run, followed by a Juniata service error two points later. Fittingly, Bianchin and Candland combined for a huge block to clinch an all-important 1-0 lead.

Set two was all Southern Virginia. After jumping out to a 9-5 advantage, the Knights only allowed five points the rest of the way en route to a 25-10 all-around clinic. Jeremy Brown was flying around the court and wreaking havoc for an Eagles defense that did not record a block through two sets.

Juniata returned the favor in the third set, gaining an important early lead which they would not relinquish to cut the Knights' set lead in half. In a thrilling fourth, Juniata again outlasted Southern Virginia in do-or-die moments to set the stage for a pivotal fifth and final frame.

The fifth set was filled with moments that create lasting memories. After Candland was forced to sub out with an injury, freshman Brady Dastrup made his first appearance in the tournament. Despite coming in cold, he made an immediate impact. On the next set, Gehrig Tolman sent a pass Dastrup's way, who used a big swing to register his first kill.

The point helped spur the Knights as they built a 9-5 lead. Mitchell Barney also came in and gave his teammates a couple of beautiful passes to ensure Southern Virginia wouldn't give up the lead. With a 14-10 lead, Kristo Bianchin finished off his 11th block at the net to send his team to the national championship match.

Up Next

The Knights return to the Cregger Center for the national final on Monday, April 28th at 7:00 PM. They'll face Springfield College for a chance to win Southern Virginia University's first-ever NCAA Championship.