ARLINGTON, Va. – The Sweet Briar College volleyball team (0-21) wrapped up its first season back in action tri-match against the Marymount University Saints (15-16, 7-0 AEC) and the Neumann University Knights (14-14, 4-3 AEC).
The Vixens fell to both the Knights and the Saints in straight sets by set scores of 25-9, 25-17 and 25-10 and 25-10, 25-4 and 25-7, respectively.
vs. Neumann
Junior
Emily Roberts (Walkertown, N.C.) led Sweet Briar offensively, scoring two kills with a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage for the set. First-year
Rachael Hunt (Willow Spring, N.C.) was active with six attack attempts. Junior
Gracyn Wright (Rock Hill, S.C.) chipped in with six attack attempts and kept errors minimal. Defensive efforts from senior
Davis Shiflett (Louisa, Va.), who posted three digs in the match, helped to keep rallies alive.
Set two ended with a score of 25-17 in favor of Neumann, but Sweet Briar improved their hitting to a .263 team percentage, as senior
Stella Ball (Salt Lake City, Utah) hit .333 with one kill. Roberts was again a standout, notching two kills with an efficient .500 percentage. Hunt and sophomore
Mila Mutabdzija (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) both contributed offensively with higher accuracy compared to the previous set. Shiflett continued her defensive dominance, recording another pair of digs. The team's blocking improved as well, tallying two total blocks in the set.
Sweet Briar competed more closely in the third set as well, scoring 10 points. Roberts added another kill, while Hunt produced one as well and helped lead the team in attacks. Ball remained consistent in her attempts, contributing crucial points throughout. Wright concluded with a team-high 10 digs for the match, underlining her defensive prowess.
vs. Marymount
Early on, Sweet Briar managed a few side outs with Wright factoring into the attack and Hunt contributing a kill. However, Marymount established an early lead with a seven-point run before Sweet Briar found traction through attacks from Hunt and junior
Isabella Peregrine (Liberty, Mo.). Wright, serving as libero, led the team with a positive contribution on receptions and digs for the set.
Sweet Briar remained persistent in the second set, with Peregrine and senior
Clara Delattre (Long Lake, Minn.) each recording attack attempts. Wright continued her hard work on defense, notching up more digs and helping to stem the early Marymount surge. Both Delattre and Peregrine contributed at the net with block assists, while Shiflett and Mutabdzija added defensive stops and helped keep some rallies alive.
Sweet Briar continued its rotation, searching for rhythm and energy as the match progressed. Senior
Eleanor Yeatts (Lexington, S.C.) emerged with a highlight, recording a perfect hitting percentage for the set off her solo kill, providing a spark for the Vixens. Ball also produced one kill from the outside position and Peregrine put up a solid hitting mark, showing efficiency with her swings. Wright's defensive leadership was again evident, tallying additional digs and steady receptions that limited aces from Marymount. Though Sweet Briar finished with just four kills in the final frame, individual efforts by Yeatts, Ball and Peregrine demonstrated focus even as the match drew to a close.
Highlights
- The 2025 season concludes with Hunt leading the team in assists with 23.
- Defensively, Wright recorded 115 digs while Peregrine earned seven block assists.
What's Next
The Vixens will now look ahead to the 2026 season and their re-entry into the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
Visit the online home of Sweet Briar Athletics, vixenathletics.com, to stay up-to-date on all Vixens sports and access live video coverage from the Vixen Sports Network. Click here to sign up for email blasts from Vixen Athletics.
To give to Sweet Briar Athletics, please fill out the form here.
You can also give the Sweet Briar Vixens a like on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Threads and X (formerly Twitter).
