Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball team opened up conference play tonight with a test against the University of Mount Olive Trojans. The Trojans were the #1 seed in last year's Conference Carolinas tournament, but the Lions were up for the challenge. Emmanuel took the lead early in the first set and held onto the momentum throughout the match to take it 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 to improve to 4-5 overall on the season, 1-0 in conference play.
In the first set, the Lions took an early 6-2 lead. Emmanuel would go on a 3-0 run due to two kills by
Ellie Jackson and one by
Emily Hanson to make it 16-9. The Trojans would respond with a few short runs of their own, but a kill by
Layla Bland would give the Lions the first set, 25-18.
In the second set, the Trojans took an early 3-2 lead, but a few errors by Mount Olive would put the Lions back on top, 5-4. Emmanuel would use a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 15-6, but the Trojans would answer with a 5-0 run of their own to bring the set within four points, 15-11. The set was filled with runs by both teams the rest of the way, but Lions closed things out by scoring the final three points to take it, 25-19.
The third set saw the Trojans jump out to a 4-0 lead, but the Lions would roar back to tie things at 7. The Lions would take their first lead of the set on a kill by
Jocelyn Martin and would go on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to three, 10-7. The Trojans would get within one point of the lead at 17-16, but the Lions finished the set on a 8-2 run to take the set, 25-18 and the match, 3-0.
Overall, the Lions had 37 kills, 4 aces, 9 blocks, 34 assists and 55 digs.
Ellie Jackson led the way with 12 kills, while
Alaina Emminger contributed 10. Emminger and
Layla Bland each had two aces on the night.
Cailin Pritchard had five blocks while
Sami Gambill added 19 assists.
Asia Queen led the team with 18 digs.
Next up, the Lions will head to the mountains to take on Young Harris tomorrow at 3PM.
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.