Box Score Due West, SC - In the final game of their regular season, the Emmanuel College Women's Volleyball team traveled to Due West, SC for a match against number 1 ranked Erskine. With an undefeated season (15-0), Erskine was planning on entering playoffs at a perfect 16-0.
The Flying Fleet started the first set with a couple kills to take the lead. A few kills from Emmanuel tied the score then allowed the Lions to go on a little run holding the lead 11-8. After a tradeoff of points, both team found themselves tied at 15-15 before Erskine went on a run themselves, finishing off set one 25-17.
Sets two and three both went to Emmanuel. In two very evenly matched sets, both teams were in it the entire time. A kill from Erica Burnham closed out set two 25-23. Set three saw Erskine with 18 kills compared to Emmanuel's 10, but the Lions were still able to take the set again, 25-23.
Set four was crucial for Erskine to hang on in an effort to protect their undefeated record. The Flying Fleet wasted no time taking the lead and scoring 14 points compared to Emmanuel's 5. Then with a combination of kills, aces, and some errors on Erskine's part, the Lions pushed right back and were suddenly in it again trailing by only 1 point at 17-18. Erskine then widened their lead needing just 2 point to finish it off. The Lions didn't go down without a fight, however, as they took back the lead themselves 23-22 before the Fleet were able to finish the set 25-23.
In a very exciting match, it came down to the 5th set. Without disappointing, the scores were very close again. Emmanuel was able to take control at 8-5 before switching sides. Coming back on the court, Erskine fought back tying the score 9-9. Some more kills from both teams brought the score well beyond the 15 point mark, before a kill by Abby Bradford and error by Erskine allowed the Lions to take the 5th set, winning the match 17-25, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 19-17. The Lions were led by Erica Burnham with 19 kills and Julie de Blanck with 16 kills.
When asked about her thoughts on the match, Coach Inga said, "I'm very proud of the way the team played against Erskine. They have been working really hard this whole season for a win like this and I couldn't be any happier for them. Erskine has an outstanding volleyball team and they competed extremely hard as well. It could've went either way. Our team never stopped competing and it makes me very proud as their coach".
The Lady Lions had a great finish to their regular season and have some momentum going into post season play. They will have a few weeks off from action until they resume play at the NCCAA South Regional Tournament on Friday, Nov. 20.
