BRISTOL, TN - The women's volleyball team fell in a heartbreaker to Francis Marion during the Conference Carolinas semifinals on Friday night. The five set thriller came down to the wire, but ultimately the Patriots were the ones who earned a spot in the championship final. The semifinal loss brings an end to the fall 2021 campaign for women's volleyball.
FMU took a dominate lead early in the first set, 12-5. The Lions were unable to muster any momentum of their own as the Patriots cruised to victory in set number one, 25-14.
The second set began in similar fashion to the first, with the Patriots controlling the momentum early on. As the Lions trailed 17-10, Coach Friddle was forced to use his second timeout in an attempt to slow FMU's pace. The Lions came charging out of the timeout, scoring five straight to get back within striking distance. The Patriots once again extended their lead to five, 20-15. However, an incredible nine point run for the Lions suddenly got them to set point. The momentum was fueled by strong serves from senior Mia Cotton, who recorded two aces. Additionally, senior Taylor Roberts and sophomore Gabrielle McGlamery combined for three block assists during the run. Emmanuel gave one back to FMU, but ultimately took the set by four points, 25-21.
The third set was back and forth, with neither team able to gain an edge an in the early going. With the score tied at 18, the Patriots suddenly rolled into the lead with four straight points, 22-18. Then, with FMU leading 23-20, Emmanuel put together another incredible effort to score four consecutive times and get to set point. The Patriots managed to extend the set a couple times, but ultimately a pair of kills from sophomore Alaina Emminger gave the Lions the set in dramatic fashion, 27-25.
The fourth set was tied at 11 before the Patriots once again made a charge. A 6-1 run put them on top, 17-12. The Lions battled for another epic comeback, but it wasn't meant to be as the Patriots took the set to extend the match, 25-20.
The tiebreaker set was a heated one as the teams battled it out to play on Saturday. Emmanuel took the early advantage, leading 7-4. Then, with the Lions leading 8-6, the Patriots put up six straight points to take a four point lead, 12-8. Roberts recorded a kill before Reagan and Emily Hanson combined for a block, but it wasn't enough as the Patriots finished off the match with an ace and the win, 3-2, while taking the set, 15-11.
Alaina Emminger led the way for the Lions, finishing with 18 kills and 6 blocks. Aleksandra Hamuda followed with 12 kills, 9 digs, and 2 blocks. Gabi Reagan matched her career high with 9 blocks, while Taylor Roberts recorded 8 stops at the net.
Additionally, senior Victoria Alexander surpassed the 1,000 dig mark for her career. With 21 on the night, she concludes her time in an Emmanuel jersey with 1,013 career digs. That number is second all-time, only surpassed by Aysha Avery.
This concludes the fall 2021 season for women's volleyball. The ladies will practice and workout in the spring before returning to action next fall.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
