Knights Swing Momentum Back in their Direction with Win Over Texas College

by Madison Mitchell, Intern

SUNO (3) vs. Texas College (0)

Set 1: SUNO 25, Texas College 16

Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) started the night strong, taking the opening set 25–16 over Texas College.

The Knights set the tone early with a service ace from Taszia Adkinson, and while the Steers briefly led 5–3 behind kills from Ja'Mia Hutton and Destine Booker, SUNO quickly responded. Samaria Berry and Cai Hales swung momentum with kills, while libero Armoni Harris steadied the defense.

The turning point came midway through the set when SUNO used a 4–0 run highlighted by back-to-back errors forced by Adkinson and a kill from Hannah Cornelious to go up 13–10. From there, the Knights never trailed again.

SUNO's attack spread across the lineup—Berry led the charge with multiple kills, Adkinson added strong swings and setting connections, and Uriah Larry contributed at the net with both blocks and kills. After a Texas College timeout at 19–13, SUNO slammed the door with a 6–3 finishing run, capped by Larry's kill and an attack error from TXC's Kemani Rollins.

The Knights claimed the opener convincingly, 25–16, to take a 1–0 lead in the match.

Set 2: SUNO 25, Texas College 23

Set 2 was a nail-biter, but SUNO held their ground in the clutch moments to escape with a 25–23 win and extend their match lead to 2–0.

The Knights came out firing, with Hannah Cornelious and Uriah Larry connecting early for kills that pushed SUNO ahead 4–1. Samaria Berry and Ja'Myra Tyler added firepower at the net, helping the Knights maintain a slim edge.

Texas College fought back behind the steady setting of Symera Richardson and big swings from Ja'Mia Hutton, rallying to tie the set 9–9. The Steers surged ahead 16–12 thanks to a string of service aces by Cadriane Martin, forcing a SUNO timeout.

But SUNO showed resilience. Out of the break, Tyler and Adkinson steadied the offense, while Berry and Cornelious combined for a crucial block to swing momentum. The Knights erased the deficit and tied the score at 20–20.

Down the stretch, both teams traded blows in a tense back-and-forth. With the score tied at 23–23, SUNO's composure shined through—Berry delivered a clutch kill to bring set point, then sealed it with another attack that clipped the defense, giving the Knights a 25–23 victory.

With the win, SUNO took a commanding 2–0 lead in the match and set themselves up for a potential sweep.

Set 3: SUNO 25, Texas College 21

SUNO finished the night in commanding fashion, pulling away late to secure a 25–21 victory in Set 3 and complete the sweep over Texas College.

The Steers opened strong, jumping out to a quick 2–0 lead, but SUNO quickly answered. Cai Hales, Samaria Berry, and Uriah Larry fueled a 6–3 run that forced an early TXC timeout. After the break, SUNO's block—led by Berry and Hannah Cornelious—took control at the net, sparking a surge that stretched the Knights' lead to 13–7.

Texas College clawed back into the set with Symera Richardson's serving run that included back-to-back aces, cutting the gap to 13–11. But SUNO responded with relentless pressure—Larry and Berry combined for back-to-back blocks, and Taszia Adkinson delivered timely kills to restore momentum.

Down the stretch, TC rallied to close within 21–22 after a kill from Ja'Mia Hutton, but SUNO stayed poised. Cornelious came up clutch with consecutive kills, and Adkinson sealed the sweep as Hutton's final swing sailed wide, giving the Knights the 25–21 win.

With the victory, SUNO completed the clean 3–0 sweep (25–16, 25–23, 25–21), showcasing balance across their lineup and strong closing ability in tight moments.