BANNER ELK, NC - The women's volleyball team travelled to the Blue Ridge Mountains to take on the Lee's-McRae Bobcats on Saturday afternoon. The Lions defeated the Bobcats in 4 sets, 3-1. The win moves the Lions to 9-4 overall and 7-2 in conference play. 

The first set began with the Lions controlling the momentum as they took the lead, 10-5. Following a timeout from the Bobcats, the Lions continued to play well, increasing their lead to 8 points, 19-11. The Lions then went on a 6-1 run, including two kills from junior Taylor Roberts and an ace from junior Mia Cotton that gave the Lions the first set, 25-12. 

The Bobcats rebounded in the second set, taking an 8-4 lead early on. When LMC's lead increased to 7 points, 12-5, the Lions took a timeout. However, the Bobcats continued to control the set as the Lions struggled to gain momentum. Eventually the Bobcats took the set, 25-14. 

The seesaw of momentum changes continued into the third set with the Lions once again taking control. Junior Aleksandra Hamuda and freshman Emily Hanson began the set with two kills each, while junior Victoria Alexander recorded a service ace. The Bobcats were slow to respond to Emmanuel's five point run. Lees-McRae took a timeout as they trailed 9-3, but Emmanuel came out of the timeout and scored six straight points. A slew of kills from several Lions and a handful of mistakes by the Bobcats culminated in a service ace by sophomore Gabi Reagan that gave Emmanuel their largest lead of the set, 18-4. The Bobcats managed to score late, but it wasn't enough as the Lions took the set, 25-14. 

The Bobcats held a four point lead in the middle of the fourth set, 14-10. Following a timeout, the Lions went on a 6-2 run that tied the score, 16-16. The score remained close until the set was tied at 22. A kill from junior Hallie Richardson got the Lions to 23 points. Hamuda followed with her 15th kill of the day, getting Emmanuel to set point. An attack error from the Bobcats gave the Lions the set, 25-22, and the game, 3-1. 

The Lions were led by Aleksandra Hamuda, who finished with a season high 15 kills, 18 digs, 1 block, and a hitting percentage of .343. Hallie Richardson, Emily Hanson, and Taylor Roberts all recorded 9 kills. Roberts also recorded a season high 6 blocks, while Richardson had 3 blocks and a service ace. Gabi Reagan and Mia Cotton both recorded two aces. 

Next up, women's volleyball will play their final game of the regular season at Erskine College on Tuesday, April 6 at 5:00pm. 

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