MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — Barry University Volleyball picked up their second and third win in 2024 with two more sweeps, Saturday afternoon, from the Health and Sports Center. The Bucs took down Virginia State and Edward Waters to go undefeated at the Barry Invitational.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Virginia State 0, Barry 3
Records: Virginia State (1-2), Barry (2-0)
All-Time Series: Barry leads VSU 1-0

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Set One - The Bucs opened the scoring for the second straight match. Using a 10-point advantage, Barry fended off a late rally by the Trojans to take the set. | Barry 25, Virginia State 19
• Set Two - After a strong opening rally of 7-2, both teams traded points and forth with VSU coming back two tie it up at 12 all. The Bucs went on a 8-1 run to take back momentum and ultimately close out the match outscoring the Trojans 13-5. | Barry 25, Virginia State 17
• Set Three - Barry cruised to the match sweep convincingly, ending the final set on a 4-0 run. Two of the points came via service ace by McKayla Theleus. | Barry 25, Virginia State 11

NOTEWORTHY:

• Barry scored the first point in each set.
• Defense has held opponents to single digit kills in six straight sets and hold a sub .100 hitting clip.
• The Bucs doubled up on kills, 43-18, and service aces 12-1.
• Varvara Osychenko led attackers with 13 kills, while hitting .545, making just one attacking error. Also, added 11 digs for the first double-double of the year.
• Gaia Riedmuller led the back row with 14 digs.
• Petra Brkicic and Thalia Iglesias split the setter role with 19 and 14 assists, respectively.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Edward Waters 0, Barry 3
Records: Edward Waters (0-3), Barry (3-0)
All-Time Series: Barry leads EWU 2-0

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Set One - Six service aces highlighted the set, as Gaia Riedmuller capped it off with two for the last four points. | Barry 25, Edward Waters 12
• Set Two - Edward Waters had the lead for one point before Barry for six straight points. The lead grew to nine and set ended with three straight kills from McKayla Theleus. | Barry 25, Edward Waters 12
• Set Three - Barry fought for the final set as EWU rallied for two sets of four point rallies. Akopova delivered the final dagger with a strong exclamation point | Barry 25, Edward Waters 22

NOTEWORTHY:

• Nine straight sets without allowing an opponent to have double-digit kills, lowest was two for the Tigers in set two.
• Diana Akopova moves into six all-time on the leader board in Bucs history for kills (1,222).
• Akopova was also named the invitational's Most Valuable Player finishing off with a double-double performance with 11 digs.
• Varvara Osychenko and Jeyhlyn Thomas were named to the invitational's All-Tournament team.
• Petra Brkicic held down the setting duties with 25 assists.
• Barry starts the season 3-0 for the first time since 2022.

ON THE HORIZON:

The Bucs will head to the Hyatt Place Bash at the Beach hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 14.