The Southern Virginia University men's volleyball team advanced to the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC) Championship Wednesday night, defeating Rutgers-Newark in five sets 25-20, 25-13, 20-25, 20-25, 15-5.

Nahuel Recabarren dominated on the night, recording 15 kills and a .267 hitting percentage, while Sam Candland followed with 12 kills and a .320 hitting average. Kaipo Tagaloa continued to guide the offense, dishing out 42 assists, while Tanner Durkin, Tagaloa, and Recabarren recorded two service aces.

Tagaloa anchored the defense and recorded a game-high nine digs, while Durkin made his presence felt at the net with five blocks.

Both teams started the game slowly, recording back-to-back errors, but the Knights (14-3, 7-0) snapped out of it and built a comfortable four-point lead midway through the set 14-18 led by Candland and Recabarren's four kills. Southern Virginia held that advantage the remainder of the set, taking the 1-0 lead in the game.

The Knights had their most dominant set in the second, quickly building a 15-4 lead. Southern Virginia did not let up on the Scarlet Raiders and took the 25-13 set victory and the 2-0 lead, hoping for a sweep.

Rutgers began their comeback in the third, using a mid-set four-point run to take a 13-11 lead. After trading points and clinging on to a one-point lead, the Scarlet Raiders earned their first set win following a 5-1 run, denying Southern Virginia's sweep.

After a convincing fourth set win, Rutgers forced a fifth set, hoping to reverse-sweep the Knights, but Southern Virginia took control quickly.

Midway through the fifth, the Knights held a one-point 6-5 lead, but Recabarren sparked a nine-point run, locking in the victory and allowing Southern Virginia to advance to the Championship.

The Knights will host Juniata College for the conference Championship Saturday, April 10.

STORY COURTESY OF SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION