FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - The women's volleyball team hosted Mount Olive for the Quarterfinal round of the 2021 Conference Carolinas Women's Volleyball Championship on Tuesday night. The Lions swept the Trojans, 3-0, advancing Emmanuel to the Semifinal match against Francis Marion on Friday night. The game will be hosted by King University in Bristol, TN, with first serve slated for 5:00pm. Should the Lions knock down the #1 seed Patriots, they will play in the Conference Championship Final, set for Saturday at 3:00pm.
The Lions sprinted to a 13-6 lead in the first set as a kill from sophomore Alaina Emminger was followed with a pair by senior Aleksandra Hamuda. With Emmanuel leading 21-15, senior Mia Cotton went to the service line. Two more kills for Hamuda were sandwiched by aces for Cotton, giving the Lions the first set by double-digits, 25-15.
With Emmanuel leading 12-8 in the second, the Trojans scored five straight to gain the lead, 13-12. With the score tied at 16, middles Taylor Roberts and Gabi Reagan each recorded a kill as the Lions once again took the advantage. But with Emmanuel leading 22-20, the Trojans scored twice to tie it up once more. After being tied at 23, Emminger knocked one down to get the Lions to set point. However, a pair of kills by the Trojans flipped the score and put Mount Olive at set point, 26-25. With the set on the line, Hamuda recorded her 12th kill of the match, making the score 26-26. The Trojans scored once more, but the Lions were finally able to claim the set as Reagan recorded a kill and combined with Hanson for a pair of blocks.
The Lions led 11-8 in the second, but once again the Trojans rallied to tie the score. With Emmanuel leading 13-12, the Trojans put together another run as they took their largest lead of the night, 16-13. Mount Olive maintained their lead until the score was 20-17. But sophomore Emily Hanson rose to the occasion, recording three kills in three swings to keep Emmanuel in the set. After a kill from the Trojans, senior Victoria Alexander recorded an ace, tying it up once more at 21. But two in a row for the Trojans made it look like they were going to extend the match. However, following a timeout from Coach Friddle, Emminger recorded three straight kills, getting Emmanuel to set and match point, 24-23. With the crowd on their feet, the Trojans managed another kill, extending the match. However, following an error by the Trojans, Taylor Roberts sent Emmanuel to the semifinal round with her fifth kill of the night as the arena erupted in excitement. The 26-24 set capped off the sweep as the Lions won the quarterfinal match.
The Lions were led by Aleksandra Hamuda, who ended the night with 15 kills in the three set match. Hamuda added 10 digs and 2 aces while hitting .270. Alaina Emminger followed with 10 kills, 3 digs, and 2 blocks.
Sophomore setter Gabrielle McGlamery recorded 35 assists, 17 digs, 2 blocks and a kill.
Next up, women's volleyball will head to the Volunteer State to face the 1 seed Francis Marion Patriots at 5:00pm on Friday, November 19.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
