Men’s volleyball swept by host SVU in exhibition opener

Friday, January 17

Buena Vista, Va.

7:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

Southern Virginia University

Josh Davis Zach Lamoureux Anthony Bernardo

Flames hitters (from left) Josh Davis, Zach Lamoureux, and Anthony Bernardo provided much of Liberty's offense Friday night at Southern Virginia University. (Photo by KJ Jugar)

Men’s volleyball swept by host SVU in exhibition opener

1/17/2025 11:55:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

Liberty did salvage a 32-30 victory in a Game 4 that did not count toward the final score.

Facing a Southern Virginia University team ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division III Preseason AVCA Coaches Poll, Liberty University's men's volleyball team was swiftly swept, 25-14, 25-13, 25-13, Friday night at the Knight Arena in Buena Vista, Va.

"Tonight was a tough look from SVU, which really showed us some of our weaknesses and combated some of our strengths," Flames Head Coach Josh Knapp said, noting that since it was an exhibition match for both teams, the Knights agreed to play a fourth game which Liberty won, 32-30. "Overall, SVU did a really great job. They definitely had a home-court advantage and they had a lot of size, which was a challenge for our guys to go in the direction we wanted to move. They were larger and played at a higher level than most of the teams we will see this season, so it was really great competition at the start of the year."

Liberty was paced by four kills apiece by Anthony Bernardo, Joshua Davis, and Zachary Bell while freshman setter Isaac Oden distributed 13 assists and won nine points on his serve.

Bernardo and Zachary Lamoureux recorded stuff blocks and Jayden Rice and Davis contributed block assists.

Jeremy Brown led the Knights with nine kills while Jayton Hall added seven and Sam Candland six.

"We have only had two official practices since coming back (from Winter Break) and we are still getting in our rhythm," Knapp said. "SVU had really solid service pressure which got us out of system and exposed areas we needed to work on, serve receive being the biggest on the first touch, and out-of-system hitting and setting. From their service pressure, they were able to control our side of the net."

Running a new 5-1 offense with freshman Isaac Oden setting, the Flames did experience some success, especially in the fourth game that did not count.

"We were able to control our side a little better in the fourth game," Knapp said. "We got to see some of our new guys in our system for the first time and saw some really great looks of working around a really large block and our guys being super aggressive at the net."

Liberty will officially open its season Tuesday at 7 p.m. against East Coast Volleyball Association rival Virginia at the Liberty Arena.

"We're excited to get to go into the Liberty Arena and defend our home court," Knapp said. "We are looking to play in front of that home crowd and show them what we have to work with."

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer