DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University volleyball finished off Southern Virginia University with a 3-1 win on Wednesday night in the Grant Center, handing the Knights their first-ever USA South Conference loss.

Averett (11-3, 3-1 USA South) won 25-17, 17-25, 25-21 and 25-22 over Southern Virginia (11-3, 3-1 USA South), which is in its first season as a member of the USA South.

The Cougars pulled away for a big win in the opening set, but Southern Virginia flipped the script in Set 2 to tie the match, 1-1. Averett rebounded by opening the third frame with a 10-2 lead. However, that advantage wasn't safe as the Knights fought back to tie it, 15-15. Kills by senior Sarah Shropshire book-ended a service aces by sophomore Erin Gray to put Averett back in front by three, and the Cougars held off Southern Virginia down the stretch to go up 2-1 in the match.

Riding the momentum, Averett once again got off to a solid start in the fourth set and jumped ahead 12-7. The Knights made several runs late to get as close as 24-22. The Cougars put away Southern Virginia with a kill by sophomore Sarah Marlowe.

Shropshire led the team with 11 kills, while junior Morgan Barnes and sophomore Emma Nash each tallied eight kills for Averett. Gray led the Cougars with 17 digs, junior Lauren Montren had 15 digs and freshman Carlie Deason finished with 14 digs. Freshman Kinsley Stevens and sophomore Makkenzie Compton had 21 assists and 14 assists, respectively, at the setter position.

Averett will face William Peace University in Raleigh on Friday at 4 p.m. The Cougars also were scheduled to face Salem College as part of a tri-match, but due to COVID-19 protocols, that match has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. in Danville.