NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball team faced #4 seeded UNC Pembroke today in the 2023 Conference Carolinas Championship Title game. Much like their regular season meeting, the game was evenly matched, but it was the Lions who came away with a four-set victory, 3-1 to capture the Lions' third title in the last six years! With the win, the Lions improved their record to 22-10 overall, 14-3 in conference and the Braves fell to 21-14 overall, 12-5 in conference play. 
 
The Lions got off to a slow start in the first set and got down by as much as 16-10 before rallying to score seven straight points to take a 22-20 lead. The Braves tied things at 22, but the Lions remained focused and an ace by senior, Isabella Appling gave the Lions the lead for good, and they took the first set 25-23. 
 
Things were back and forth early in the second set, with four ties and two lead changes.  Emmanuel led 16-13 before the Braves got hot, taking the set 25-22. 
 
In the third, the Lions rebounded and got off to a 5-0 start. They would lead by as much as 9 through the set. In the set, Emmanuel had 14 kills, 2 service aces and 3 blocks and they took the win, 25-20. 
 
In the fourth set, the Lions exploded offensively for 17 kills and 2 blocks. This one was back and forth, with the Braves leading until late in the set. Tied at 18, a kill from senior, Alaina Emminger gave the Lions the lead for good and they took the set 25-21 and the game 3-1!
 
Overall, the Lions had 57 kills, 6 aces, 11 blocks and 83 digs! 
 
Emminger led the way with 16 kills, with senior, Emily Hanson adding 14, and junior, Jocelyn Martin, 10. 
 
Senior, Gabrielle McGlamery and sophomore, Ellie Jackson were hot from the service line, each getting two aces. 
 
McGlamery also led the team in assists with 42!
 
Freshman, Cailin Pritchard contributed 6 blocks on the night, with sophomore, Layla Bland adding 5 of her own, and senior, Emily Hanson getting 3!
 
Seniors, Alaina Emminger and Emily Hanson were named to the All-Tournament team and senior, Gabrielle McGlamery was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. 
 
With the win, the Lions earn an automatic bid to the NCAA National Championship and will find out their seed in the Southeast Regional during the selection show on Monday, November 20 at 7:30p.m. 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com!