The No. 6-ranked Emory volleyball team was back at it last weekend, opening its season by winning three of four matches at the Berry College Invitational.
The weekend was filled with various twists and turns, and tested the team's resilience and spirit.
After coming up short in the National Semifinals last fall, the Eagles were determined to start off the season strong.
With 15 of 16 players returning, the team won its first two matches against Randolph-Macon College (Va.) and Lynchburg College (Va.), 3-1 and 3-0, respectively.
However, the following two games were much more difficult for the squad.
After playing the first two sets very close against DePauw University, the team seemed to lose focus and never led during the last two sets.
Nevertheless, the team quickly rebounded from its 3-1 loss to DePauw University (Ind.) by registering a 3-0 victory over Berry College (Ga.).
The team proved to be resilient against Berry. The Eagles had to fight off a couple set points early before they started rolling.
They rebounded with only 19 minutes to gather themselves between the DePauw and Berry matches.
"Everyone on our team is tremendously talented and has done a great job during the beginning of the season," senior captain outside hitter Kate Bowman said. "Right now, our biggest obstacle is bringing all of that talent together so that we are one cohesive unit on the court."
Leading the Eagles throughout the invitational was senior outside hitter Leah Jacobs and sophomore middle hitter Jessica Holler, both of whom made the All-Tournament Team.
Additionally, Leah Jacobs was named the University Athletic Association (UAA) Volleyball Player of the Week for her incredible performance over the four matches at the Berry Invitational.
It is the first time in her career that she has been chosen for this honor. Jacobs played in all of Emory's 14 sets and paced the squad with a 5.00 kills-per-set average while concluding the weekend with an attack percentage of .344.
While Head Coach Jenny McDowell was proud of her team's performance at Berry, she is focused on the road ahead.
"I expect us to work extremely hard every day in practice, compete with Emory intensity and play with tremendous pride when we put on the 'Emory' uniform," she said.
"We are looking forward to an amazing year, and I believe this senior class won't let anything stop them from achieving their goals."
Emory returns to action next Friday and Saturday (Sept. 5-6) to play at the California Lutheran University Invitational.
–By Michael Scheck
