Barry cruised to its second Division II Women's Volleyball Championship with a 30-19, 30-21, 30-25 win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the title match December 1. The Buccaneers ended their season on a 21-match win streak.

Barry gained the upper hand right away, bolting to a 17-9 lead in the first game, a deficit from which South Dakota State could not recover.

Trying to shift momentum, the Jackrabbits grabbed a 10-6 lead in the second game, but could not hold on. Barry coach Dave Nichols called a timeout, and the team regrouped and regained the lead.

In game three, the Jackrabbits made one last push for a win by trading points with the Buccaneers before falling five points shy.

"They were an extremely worthy opponent, but I just think we played better than we have all season and it paid off," Nichols said.

Simone Ferrarezi led the way for the Buccaneers. Her 21 kills, .500 attack percentage and team-high 15 digs complemented fellow Brazilians Daniela Lanza, who had 37 assists, and Karla Bersano, who pounded 18 kills.

"It is so great to win the championship, especially for us because we are from a different country and away from our families," Bersano said. "(Coach Nichols) has given us support and made us feel like we have family here, and that is special to us."

For South Dakota State, American Volleyball Coaches Association player of the year Shauna Sturm registered a team-high 11 kills. No other Jackrabbits posted double-digit kills.

Named to the all-tournament team were: Ferrarezi, Bersano, Lanza and Fernanda Ferreira of Barry; UC San Diego's Teresa Ohta; Grand Valley State's Carly Miller; Mercy's Yulissa Zamudio; South Dakota State's Sturm, Andrea Ebnet and Angie Rime; Truman's Casey Felkerson; and Western State's Michelle Morris.

Quarterfinals

Grand Valley St. def. Mercy, 25-30, 30-26, 30-19, 28-30, 15-9; South Dakota St. def. Truman, 24-30, 30-18, 30-20, 28-30, 15-7; UC San Diego def. Lock Haven, 30-26, 24-30, 30-28, 30-27; Barry def. Western St., 30-26, 26-30, 30-27, 30-26.

Semifinals

Barry def. UC San Diego, 30-23, 30-24, 30-26; South Dakota St. def. Grand Valley St., 30-26, 30-20, 30-19.

Championship