Box Score

BELMONT ABBEY, NC - Women's volleyball took on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders in their second game of the 2021 season. The Lions fell to the Crusaders in five sets, 3-2, moving their record to 1-1. 

The Lions scored twice as many points as the Crusaders early on in the first set, leading 10-5. Emmanuel continued to hold control throughout the set. Junior Hallie Richardson capped off the dominate set with a kill as they took it by fourteen, 25-11. 

Emmanuel carried their momentum into the beginning of the second set as they led by four, 5-1. However, the Crusaders rallied to a dominate run of their own that gave them a five point advantage, 12-7. The Lions were unable to recover as Belmont Abbey continued to control the set, eventually taking it 25-16. 

The Crusaders scored the first couple points in the third set, but the Lions quickly tied the score at five points per team. Momentum from Belmont Abbey carried them to a six point lead, 17-11. Emmanuel slowly attempted to come back, getting within three as Belmont Abbey reached 20 points. However, a string of errors from the Crusaders and a service ace by junior Mia Cotton gave the Lions their first lead of the set, 23-20. The Crusaders were able to score three more points, but back to back kills by freshman Emily Hanson gave the Lions the set, 25-23. 

The Crusaders rebounded from the dropped set by taking the early lead in the fourth, 9-4. Belmont Abbey continued to control the set, taking a ten point lead late, 23-13. The Lions pieced together six straight points en route to a 9-2 run, but it wasn't enough as the Crusaders took the set, 25-22.

Belmont Abbey's victory in the fourth set sent the game to a fifth and final set. Despite the first points being scored by the Crusaders, the Lions took the lead midway through the fifth set, 7-4. Emmanuel continued to hold the lead, keeping the Crusaders four points behind as the score reached 12-8. A three point run got Belmont Abbey back within one, but two more points for the Lions got them to game point. However, the Crusaders fought their way back into the game, scoring three straight to tie it at 14. A kill from Richardson gave the Lions the advantage, but the Crusaders responded with two points to flip the score, leading 16-15. Kills from Cotton and junior Aleksandra Hamuda once again put the game in the hands of Emmanuel, but it wasn't to be as the Crusaders scored three consecutive points to take the set, 19-17, and the game, 3-2. 

The Lions were led by Hallie Richardson, who scored a season high 20 kills. Aleksandra Hamuda followed with 13 kills and 6 blocks, while Emily Hanson recorded 6 kills and 5 blocks. Senior Jamie Clark had 4 service aces. 

Next up, women's volleyball will take on Lees-McRae College in their home opener on Friday, February 19. 

For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.