Box Score Huntsville, AL – The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball team closed out play in the UAH Invitational against tournament host, University of Alabama-Huntsville. The Chargers came into the matchup 5-1 on the season, but the Lions gave the home team everything they had. With the loss, the Lions fall to 3-5 on the season. 
 
The first set was competitive with the teams trading the lead early. Ellie Jackson was on fire for the Lions early, with two kills and an ace early in the set.  The Chargers would pull away to take an 18-13 lead, but a 4-0 run would put the Lions right back in play, 18-17. The Chargers would force four errors to win the set, 25-21. 
 
In the second set, there were several lead changes early with UAH getting up by as much as three points early, 15-11. The Lions would respond to tie things up at 23-23. Emmanuel would go onto score the final five points of the set to take it, 25-23. 
 
The third set saw the Chargers take an early lead. 5-2 but Emmanuel answered to tie things at 7 on a kill by Alaina Emminger. The two teams traded points until UAH took a 14-13 lead. They would go onto extend their lead to 17-13 by going on a 5-0 run.  Another 5-0 run would make it 21-14, and UAH would take the set, 25-20. 
 
In the fourth set, the Lions quickly got into a 8-3 hole but would respond to tie things at 11 on a kill by Ellie Jackson. The Lions took a 13-12 lead on a kill by Emminger and led the rest of the way. The Chargers closed things out on a 6-0 run to bring the set within one point, but the Lions shut the door with a kill by Emminger to take the set, 25-23. 
 
In the fifth set, the Chargers jumped out to an early 9-5 lead. The Lions would rally back to make it 13-8, UAH but the Chargers would close out the set, 15-9 to take the game, 3-2. 
 
Overall, the Lions had 63 kills on the night, with Ellie Jackson leading the way a career high, 23. Emmanuel had 4 aces, with Jackson collecting two of them. Cailin Pritchard picked up 6 of the Lions 12 blocks, with Brianna Bigelow contributing 5. Freshman Sami Gambill ended the night with 34 assists, with Morgan Brice adding 22.  Jackson had 22 of Emmanuel's 85 digs, with Asia Queen (17), Layla Bland (13) and Alaina Emminger (11) each contributing double digit digs. 
 
The Lions will be back in action on Friday, September 20 for their first conference game of the season at home against Mount Olive at 6PM. 
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.