(RALEIGH, N.C.) - The 2023 USA South Volleyball Tournament championship took place on the campus of Meredith College on Saturday, November 11 as the top-seeded, host, Avenging Angels earned the title by defeating second-seeded Greensboro, 3-2 (29-31, 16-25, 25-12, 25-19, 15-12).

An epic first set saw 60 total points played, with the visiting Pride ultimately taking it 31-29 to gain an early advantage. Greensboro would use that momentum in the second set to cruise to a 25-16 win. A change in strategy for Meredith would help the home team get on the board via a 25-12 third set win. Following a 25-19 fourth set victory, the final would head to a deciding fifth set.

In the final stanza, Meredith jumped out to a 7-5 lead only to see Greensboro grab an 8-7 advantage. The Avenging Angels went on a 4-1 run to get to an 11-9 lead, the Pride got to within one at 13-12, before Meredith scored the final two points to win 15-12. 

Meredith was led offensively by Emma Duncan and Lauren Bissette who each had 15 kills. Hannah Jo Jablonski contributed a team-high 18 digs while Lillie Davis added 39 assists with Ashley Smith coming off the bench for 12 assists and five digs. For Greensboro, Krista Brantley had a match-high 17 kills while Payton Shiflet added a double-double of 15 kills and 17 digs.

2023 All-Tournament Team
Lauren Bissette, Meredith (MVP)
Krista Brantley, Greensboro
Lillie Davis, Meredith
Emma Duncan, Meredith
Hannah Jo Jablonski, Meredith
Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro
Jaylyn Templeton, Greensboro

2023 USA South Volleyball Tournament Results
(All contests played at the higher-seeded team in the matchup)

First Round - Tuesday, November 7
Game 1: #8 N.C. Wesleyan - 0   #1 Meredith - 3
Game 2: #7 Brevard - 0   #2 Greensboro - 3
Game 3: #6 Methodist - 1   #3 Southern Virginia - 3
Game 4: #5 Salem - 3   #4 William Peace - 2

Semifinals - Thursday, November 9
#5 Salem - 0   #1 Meredith - 3
#3 Southern Virginia - 1   #2 Greensboro - 3

Final - Saturday, November 11
#2 Greensboro - 2   #1 Meredith - 3