MARTINSVILLE, Va. - The Meredith College (25-8) volleyball team's historic season ended early Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 23-25, 17-25) loss to Covenant College (27-9) in the USA South Semifinals. MCVB entered the USA South Tournament as the North Division Regular Season Champion and the top seed in the division, while the Scots were the South's second seed.

Covenant advanced to face the South's top-seeded Maryville Scots in the league finals.

The Avenging Angels tied Meredith's all-time single-season record this year with 25 wins, including the second consecutive undefeated season at home. The 10-win series at home this fall brings the program to 17 consecutive victories in Weatherspoon Gymnasium.

"I'm so proud of the team's accomplishments this year," said Barkley. "This group was undefeated at home, had another 20+ win season, first place in the North and final four in the league."

Today's semifinal appearance was the first for Meredith volleyball since the college joined the USA South in 2007. In spite of today's loss, the Avenging Angels made an impact on the league and look to a strong 2015 campaign with no seniors on the roster.

Meredith and Covenant battled closely to open the second semifinal of the day with the score reset at sevens. The Scots edged ahead 13-10 before Karlie Long landed a kill and served up a winner to pull the Angels to within one.

Covenant countered with back-to-back winners but Emily Hendricks returned the service to Meredith down by two at 15-13.

The Scots found their rhythm scoring nine of the next 12 points to take a 1-0 match lead.

Although Covenant maintained momentum heading into the second frame, a determined Avenging Angels squad refused to back down.

Down 8-4 early in the set, MCVB climbed back into the fold and took the lead at 14-13 on a pair of consecutive service aces from Hannah Blaylock. The Avenging Angels would continue to fight to a 25-21 finish to tie the match.

Meredith remained strong in the third, but the Scots edged out the Angels 25-23 to take a 2-1 match lead.

The young team never backed down, but Covenant's unwavering defense closed the gaps for Meredith's attack to secure the win down the stretch.

Long led Meredith with 14 kills, adding nine digs and four service aces. Rookie middle Alex Hafliger posted her first career double-digit performance with 11 kills to go along with a pair of blocks. Hendricks tallied seven kills, and Blaylock dished out 34 assists with 14 digs. Libero Emery McGee recorded a team-high 16 digs for the Angels.