The volleyball team continued its winning ways this weekend at the Emory Tournament, earning the victory all four of their matches against tough competition. The No. 4-ranked Eagles won 11 of 12 games on the long homestand and now stands at a superb record of 18-1 for the season.
The Emory Tournament, which occurred Friday and Saturday, featured Randolph-Macon College (Va.), Brenau University, Lynchburg College (Va.) and Cornell College (Iowa) in addition to Emory.
In the first game of the tournament, the Eagles faced off with the 10-5 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets, who threatened to end Emory's winning streak at four games. The two teams, which fought to five games earlier in the season when Emory emerged victorious, battled back and forth, alternating set victories.
The match came to a decisive fifth set, which the Emory squad won 15-11 to extend its winning streak to five games and evade an upset. The competitive match was a defensive clash, as Emory was limited to a .128 hitting percentage, while holding Randolph-Macon to a paltry .096 hitting percentage.
Sophomore Taylor Erwin led the Eagles' defense with a team-high 24 digs, along with junior Cat McGrath's five blocks. Juniors McGrath, Leah Jacobs and Kate Bowman each finished with double-digit kills, while Bowman had her sixth double-double of the season, finishing with a dozen digs.
Emory's second match Friday night featured the Brenau Golden Tigers, who stood at 5-7 entering the game. The Eagles' high-flying offensive attack, bottled up against Randolph-Macon, was fully unleashed against the Golden Tigers, as the squad cruised to a straight-set victory (25-13, 25-15, 25-15).
The Eagles led in hitting percentage at .423 to Brenau's .074, led by McGrath's impressive .750 hitting percentage.
McGrath and Jacobs each finished with double-digit kills. The Eagles' defensive effort was also strong, as Emory led Brenau in digs 31-21. With this match victory, the Eagles extended their win streak to six games.
Saturday's slate featured more tough competition for the Eagles, as Emory began the day with a morning match against the 12-2 Cornell Rams. After winning the first set, the Eagles lost the next two to the Rams, before winning the fourth to send it to another fifth set.
The volleyball squad again displayed its prowess in pressure situations, capturing the fifth set and another exciting match victory against a feisty Cornell team.
Coach Jenny McDowell lauded her team's ability to win close matches.
"I continue to be impressed by our teams ability to handle pressure situations, stay calm and play their best in the fifth game," McDowell said. "Playing all these matches will pay dividends for us during the NCAA tournament. We are being tested and responding like champions."
The Eagles held a close edge in hitting percentage .217 to .202, but during the last two sets, the Eagles outhit the Rams .346 to .060.
Leading the comeback was the junior trio of Jacobs, Bowman and Jessica Holler, who each finished with double-digit kills. Erwin continued her outstanding defensive efforts, posting 18 digs.
Emory's opponent for the Saturday afternoon game was the 6-10 Lynchburg Hornets. This match proved to be much easier than the morning game, as the Eagles won in three straight sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-18).
Holler finished with a .556 hitting percentage, registering 11 kills. Emory led in just about every major category, leading in hitting percentage .333 to .053, blocks 9.0 to 4.0, and digs 45-40.
By winning this match, Emory extended its winning streak to eight games, going undefeated in the past two weekend home tournaments.
Emory finished first in the tournament, going 4-0, while Cornell College finished second at 3-1, then Randolph-Macon in third at 2-2 and Lynchburg at 1-3 with Brenau finishing last at 0-4 on the tournament.
For their outstanding performances, three Eagles took home honors for the weekend: Holler and Erwin each earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team, while sophomore Sydney Miles won MVP.
In addition, McDowell praised senior Sarah Taub.
"[She was] fantastic all weekend," McDowell said. "She is doing a great job of leading the team both on and off the court. She is a winner and her competitive spirit is infectious."
McDowell also praised this year's freshman class.
"It will be fun to see what the eight of them can accomplish over their careers," she said.
Emory takes its 18-1 record on the road next weekend as the team begins University Athletic Association (UAA) conference play at the UAA Round Robin on Oct. 5-6 at Case Western University in Ohio.
– By Ethan Morris
Photo courtesy of Emory Athletics
