FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - The men's volleyball team hosted the Limestone University Saints in the penultimate game of their 2021 regular season on Tuesday. The Lions defeated the Saints, 3-0. The victory moves the Lions' record to 8-12 overall. 

With the Saints leading 4-3 in the first set, the Lions put together a five point run that gave them the lead, 8-4. 

The Lions proceeded to increase their lead to seven points, 14-7. The Saints were unable to produce momentum as the Lions went on to take the set, 25-16. 

The Lions began the second set riding their momentum from the first as they opened with four straight points. The Saints once again struggled to gain momentum as the Lions increased their lead to eight points, 11-3. The dominate performance from the Lions gave them the set, 25-15. 

The third set went back and forth initially until the score was tied, 8-8. A 6-1 run by the Lions gave them the lead, 14-9. With the score 21-16, the Saints found their first momentum streak of the night, putting together a 7-2 run that tied the set at 23 points. A kill from the Saints put them at set point. However, sophomore Jayden Young kept the Lions alive with a kill that tied the score, 24-24. Another kill from the Saints was answered by senior Aleksa Lakic, once again tying the set. The Saints then gained the advantage with a kill, but Lakic answered once again. Senior Don Thompson proceeded to record his eighth kill of the night, giving Emmanuel the advantage, 27-26. Limestone once again tied the score to keep their hopes alive, but Lakic answered with his 10th kill of the game. Then, with Emmanuel leading 28-27, Lakic finished off the high scoring set with an ace, giving Emmanuel the victory in just three sets. 

The Lions were led by Aleksa Lakic, who finished with 10 kills, 2 aces, and a hitting percentage of .563. Don Thompson and Jayden Young followed with 8 kills a piece. Thompson also recorded 3 aces and a hitting percentage of .462, while Young finished with 2 aces and hit .583. Setter Henrik Westhoff had 32 assists, 3 kills, and an ace. 

As a team the Lions had two season highs. A hitting percentage of .455 beat their previous best of .321. Additionally, their 13 service aces as a team was 3 more than in any other match this year. Every Lion that served in tonight's game recorded at least one ace. 

Next up, men's volleyball will take on Erskine College on Tuesday, April 6. 

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