FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball team hosted the Lees McRae Bobcats in conference action today at the Shaw Athletic Center. The Lions got off to a good start and maintained their focus throughout the match, defeating Lees McRae in four sets, 25-16, 25-27, 25-16, 25-19. With the win, the Lions improve to 4-8 on the season, 2-2 in conference.
 
The first set started off close, with multiple ties and lead changes. The Lions took the lead for good at 15-14 on an attack error by Lees McRae followed by an ace by Eli Zdonek. The Lions finished out the set on a 12-4 run to take it 25-18. 
 
Set two started similar to the first, with multiple ties and lead changes early. However, in set two it stayed that way. With the two teams knotted at 25-25, Lees McRae would need extra points to finish the set and got it in the way of back-to-back kills to take 27-25 set two victory. 
 
In set three, the Lions roared back with 13 kills and 2 aces in the set. The Lions would jump out to a 17-10 lead and would control the pace of the set the rest of the way. The Lions rebounded to win the third set, 25-16.
 
The fourth set was a close one, with each team answering the bell. Emmanuel would pull away midway through the set and controlled the rest of the way, taking the set 25-19.
 
Overall, the Lions had 53 kills, 5 aces, 50 assists, 12 blocks, and 36 digs.
 
Eli Zdonek led the way with 20 kills, 4 aces, and 2 blocks. 
 
Abdallah Roshdy led the way with 45 assists on the day.
 
Nicklas Eichenberger had 13 digs and multiple Lions got in on the block party with Arturo Diaz-Dube contributing 4, Roshdy contributing 3, Zdonek adding 2 and Aidan Feeney with 1.5. 
 
Next up, the Lions will host Edward Waters on Tuesday at 7PM.
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.