WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Women's volleyball took a trip south to compete in the 2021 Bash at the Beach this weekend. Their first match of the tournament was against the host team, Palm Beach Atlantic. The Sailfish defeated the Lions in four sets, 3-1, moving Emmanuel's record to 1-3. 

The first set was dominated by PBA as Emmanuel struggled on both offense and defense. The lack of momentum from the Lions led to the Sailfish taking the set, 25-11. 

However, the second set was a different story as the Emmanuel looked like an entirely different team. The Sailfish were caught off guard as the Lions went on a heater in the middle of the set. With PBA leading 14-13, the Lions went on a 7-0 run with senior Kaitlyn Henderson serving. The stretch included several blocks for the Lions and an ace from Henderson. PBA was unable to recover as Emmanuel took the second set in dramatic turnaround fashion, 25-18. 

The third set was the closest thus far as the teams battled it out to gain an advantage. The score was within one point for the majority of the set until they were tied at 17. Then, kills from seniors Mia Cotton and Aleksandra Hamuda fueled a four-point run for the Lions that gave them their largest lead of the set, 21-17. However, three consecutive points for the Sailfish got them back within one. A pair of kills from sophomore Emily Hanson got the lions to 23, but another run from PBA put them at set point, 24-23. Emmanuel scored one more, but it wasn't enough as PBA took the set, 26-24. 

The fourth set stayed close early on until the Sailfish started gathering momentum. With the score tied at 13, PBA went on 5-1 run, giving them the lead, 18-14. The Lions managed to pull back within a point, but the Sailfish still led 20-19. However, four straight for PBA got them to set and match point, 24-19. A kill from sophomore Alaina Emminger got the Lions to 20, but a kill by the Sailfish gave them the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-1. 

The Lions were led by Emily Hanson, who finished with 11 kills and 5 blocks. Alaina Emminger recorded 10 kills and 2 blocks. Additionally, senior Taylor Roberts recorded 5 blocks, two of them solo, while Aleksandra Hamuda recorded 4 blocks in Emmanuel's best blocking performance thus far this year. 

Next up, women's volleyball faces Hillsdale College at 4:30 PM this afternoon (Friday, September 10). 

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