The Emory volleyball team split its four matches during the weekend at the University Athletic Association Round Robin II at Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.). The No. 4-ranked Eagles split two contests on both Saturday and Sunday against tough competition. The squad now stands at 24-3 on the season and 5-2 in the conference.
The Eagles opened up the Round Robin against the No. 19-ranked University of Chicago Maroons. The Maroons ended Emory's 12-game winning streak with a 3-1 win (25-20. 19-25, 25-23, 25-23). The Eagles led in most major categories, as they outhit the Maroons .171 to .163 and led in digs 82-69.
Leading Emory's effort were juniors Kate Bowman and Cat McGrath who each finished with double-digit kills and sophomore Sydney Miles who had 39 assists and five blocks. Despite the strong individual efforts, the squad was unable to produce a victory against the talented Maroons.
Emory did not dwell on their loss for long, as they quickly bounced back against the 8-19 University of Rochester (N.Y.) Yellow Jackets. The Eagles won the match in straight sets (25-8, 25-11, 25-14) and dominated every aspect of the game. Led by sophomore Ashley Crawford's nine kills, Emory outhit Rochester .417 to -.066. Emory's defense was equally as strong, as the Eagles led in digs 36 to 21 and in blocks 6 to 1. With this victory, the Eagles split their two matches on Saturday.
Sunday's matches featured more difficult competition for the Eagles, as Emory opened up play against the Brandeis Judges.
The volleyball squad easily defeated Brandeis, winning in straight sets (25-6, 25-15, 25-11). The Eagles outhit the Judges .373 to a paltry -.039, as Crawford led the team with 10 kills and a .450 hitting percentage. Freshmen Catalina Jimenez and Sheridan Rice made use of their playing time, as each finished with a team-leading seven digs.
Emory met its match yet again in the afternoon match against the host No. 11-ranked Washington University Bears. In a game between fierce rivals, each squad gave its best effort in a match that seesawed back and forth.
The Bears won the first set 25-18, but the Eagles quickly responded with two straight set victories (25-20, 25-21). The fourth set was a battle as Emory led 15-13, before Wash U went on a 7-2 run to take the lead, which they would preserve to send it to a decisive fifth set.
In a close final set in which Emory led 13-9, Wash U came back to win the set 15-13 and the match. Freshman Jessica Holler led the team with 14 kills and a .370 hitting percentage, while Jimenez and sophomore Taylor Erwin each finished with 13 digs. The Bears outhit the Eagles .217 to .183, led by Caroline Dupont's 16 kills.
The Emory volleyball team's next matches are Nov. 1-2, as the Eagles return home to host the Emory National Invitational.
– By Ethan Morris
Photo courtesy of Emory Athletics
