DUE WEST, SC - The women's volleyball team concluded their 2021 regular season on Tuesday night with a win over the Erskine College Flying Fleet. The Lions defeated the Fleet in five sets, 3-2. The win moves Emmanuel's record to 10-4 overall and 8-2 in conference play. Coming into the game, the Lions had already solidified a third place seeding in the Conference Carolinas playoffs, which are set to begin on Saturday, April 10. 

The first set went back and forth early on until the Fleet had a two point advantage, 10-8. The Lions then went on an 11-1 run that gave them an eight point lead, 19-11. The Fleet struggled to regain momentum as the Lions went on to take the first set, 25-16. 

The Fleet began the second set with three consecutive aces before taking an early lead, 7-3. Another momentum streak for Emmanuel led to a seven point run that gave the Lions the lead, 10-7. A see saw exchange of points ensued until the score was tied at 21. The Fleet recorded a kill but followed it with two errors, giving the Lions a one point advantage, 23-22. Back to back points for the Fleet got them to set point, 24-23. A kill from junior Mia Cotton kept the Lions in the set, but Erskine answered with a kill of their own. Cotton followed with another kill, but two more kills for the Fleet gave them the second set, 27-25. 

With senior Jamie Clark serving, the Lions began the third set with five straight points. The run included two kills from junior Aleksandra Hamuda and a kill from sophomore Gabi Reagan. The Fleet finally managed to score a point, but a kill from Cotton, an ace from

Hamuda, and a kill from junior Hallie Richardson continued Emmanuel's momentum. With the Lions ahead 8-5, another kill from Cotton was followed by 3 consecutive service aces for Reagan. With Erskine unable to mount a comeback, the Lions went on to take the set, 25-16. 

Erskine rebounded in the fourth set, opening with a six point run. The Lions managed to get within one, 9-8, but the Fleet produced another six consecutive points that gave them the lead, 15-8. The Fleet went on to take the set, 25-20, extending the game to a fifth set. 

The fifth, tiebreaker set was tied at five points early on. A kill for Hamuda and error on Erskine gave the Lions a two point advantage. With Emmanuel leading 8-6, Reagan recorded two more aces and junior Taylor Roberts had two more kills, leading the Lions to a six point lead, 12-6. The Fleet were able to get to double digits, but the game was finished by freshman Emily Hanson as the Lions took the set, 15-10, and the game, 3-2. 

The Lions were led by Taylor Roberts, who recorded a season high 15 kills, 4 blocks, and a hitting percentage of .438. Mia Cotton recorded 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .250. Senior Jenna Woodruff had 12 digs and 4 kills, hitting .500. Aleksandra Hamuda finished with 9 kills and 8 digs, hitting .350. 

Next up, women's volleyball will begin postseason play on Saturday, April 10 at 12:00pm as they host Barton College. 

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