Emory University’s women volleyball team faced New York University (NYU) in the University Athletic Association (UAA) championship finals. With wins against University of Rochester (N.Y.) and University of Chicago in the semifinals, Emory looked to win their 11th UAA championship, but they ultimately lost 3-2.
The Eagles started the match with a strong lead in the first set with six consecutive kills, three of which were made by junior setter Alana Dawson. After Emory called their first timeout, what was originally almost a 10 point lead dwindled down to three points nearing the end of the first set. NYU ended the set with a two point lead.
The second set remained contested until NYU senior setter Ella Weider recorded a kill. NYU closed the set, leading 25-16. Emory made eight costly attack errors, but senior outside hitter Carly Wallace contributed four kills and junior Sarah Luong made six assists.
The third set signaled the Eagles’ comeback with a 10 point lead over NYU. Junior outside hitter Lily Martin made five kills. Junior libero Deborah Hong also contributed to Emory’s lead with 29 digs.
The beginning of the fourth set was close. Both teams were going for kills and making attack errors, but the Eagles began to break away after a service ace from sophomore defensive specialist Caroline Coyle. After the squad secured a five point lead, the Eagles landed three consecutive kills, two of which junior middle hitter Madison Cail made, to close out the fourth set. Tied at 2-2, the UAA title was down to the fifth and final set for the tiebreaker.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats during the fifth set. Emory was point-for-point with NYU, down only two points at 5-3. The Eagles quickly came back as Martin, Wallace and Cail made kills, giving the team a two-point lead at 5-7. Shortly after, NYU called a timeout, but they couldn’t use the break to disrupt the Eagles’ momentum.
However, with only two points left to clinch the championship, the Eagles made three attack errors and two bad sets. Ultimately, those errors cost Emory the win, and NYU clinched the UAA title by winning their third set.
Head coach Brianna Jones reflected on the team’s errors after the game.
“We had a lot of errors,” Jones said. “We don’t make that many errors either, so it was uncharacteristic of us. What I should say is being ourselves and trusting ourselves is what we need to improve.”
Senior middle hitter Amanda Meyer shared a similar sentiment and noted that the Eagles have never been down two sets before.
“It was good to have that experience and be able to fight back, and it shows a lot about what we’re gonna do in the [NCAA Division III] tournament,” Meyer said.
Although the Eagles lost the championship, Wallace said she believes that winning the title was not the most important goal.
“We’ve put in all the hours,” Wallace said. “We’ve spent so much time together preparing for this moment, so not winning is obviously a bummer. But we have a lot to look forward to still, and we’re going to keep working hard to accomplish what our main goal is, which is the national championship.”
