BANNER ELK, NC - The women's volleyball team faced Lees-McRae College on Friday night. The Lions defeated the Bobcats, 3-1, moving their record to 13-12 overall and 10-4 in conference play. The victory moves them into a tie for second in the West division along with King. North Greenville is currently in first at 11-4.
The first set began with the Lions scoring the first four points. The Bobcats responded with three of their own, keeping the set close early on. By the middle of the set, the Lions were starting to take control. Another four point run gave them an advantage that the Bobcats couldn't surmount as Emmanuel went on to dominate the set, 25-15.
The second set initially looked even more dominate than the first as Emmanuel led 10-3 early on. But the Bobcats slowly chipped away at the lead until they were within three points, 22-19. Then, four straight for LMC flipped the script of the set. Despite the large early lead for the Lions, they quickly found themselves trailing late in the set. Kills from junior Gabi Reagan and sophomore Alaina Emminger got the Lions to set point, but the Bobcats responded with a point of their own. With the score tied at 24, the teams started an epic back and forth in a seemingly never-ending set. Emminger, senior Taylor Roberts, and senior Aleksandra Hamuda all recorded kills, but each one was followed with a point from the Bobcats. Then, with the set tied at 30, Emminger appeared to record an epic kill after a hectic rally. However, amidst Emmanuel's celebration, the officials ruled that she touched the net, giving the point to the Bobcats. The tough break was followed with a kill from Reagan, again tying the match. But the nail-biter went to the Bobcats as they scored twice more to win the set, 33-31.
After the physically and emotionally draining second set, the Lions quickly found their footing in the third as they led 8-5 early on. This time they didn't look back, maintaining control of their lead and eventually taking the set, 25-18.
The Lions again built a 10-3 lead early in the fourth. This run was fueled by fantastic serving from senior Taylor Roberts, who recorded three aces in four serves. The Bobcats hoped for a repeat of the second set, but it wasn't to be as the Lions put their foot down and built a double-digit lead. They took the set 25-14, and the match, 3-1.
Alaina Emminger led the way in kills, recording 14, along with 7 digs and 3 blocks. Taylor Roberts accumulated an extremely well-rounded performance with 11 kills, 6 blocks, 5 digs, and 4 aces, hitting .320. Aleksandra Hamuda finished with a double-double, notching 11 kills and 17 digs, along with 2 aces and a block.
Sophomore Gabrielle McGlamery recorded 46 assists, 14 digs, 4 blocks, and 2 kills.
Next up, women's volleyball will face Converse University on Saturday at 2:00pm.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
