SAN ANGELO, TX – The Emmanuel Lions Volleyball team started off the season in the W column with a five-set win against New Mexico Highlands (22-25, 25-15, 25-20, 24-26, 15-9) in the 2024 Kathleen Brasfield Invitational. Senior, Alaina Emminger had a milestone night recording her 1,000^th career kill to become only the 3^rd Lion to achieve it. 
 
In set one, the Cowboys got off to a quick start, taking a 7-4 lead. The Lions would roar back by going on an 8-0 run to take the lead, 15-10. The Lions would hold the lead until the Cowgirls would go on a five-point run of their own to tie things at 20-20. New Mexico Highlands would outscore the Lions 5-2 to finish the set winning, 25-22. 
 
The second set was all Lions, as Emmanuel got off to a quick 5-0 start. The Cowgirls would get within one point on a few occasions, but the Lions would take the set, 25-15 recording 17 kills.
 
The Cowgirls led early in the third set, but the Lions would rally back to take the lead, 7-6. The two teams would go back and forth until the Lions would take the lead for good, 17-16. Emmanuel finished off the set strong to win it, 25-20 behind four kills by Ellie Jackson.
 
The fourth set was another close one, with both teams making plays. The Lions would lead by as much as four points midway through the set, 18-14 but the Cowgirls would respond to tie things up at 18. Emmanuel would take a two-point lead, 24-22, but New Mexico Highlands would score the final four points to win the set, 26-24. 
 
The final set saw the Lions take an early 6-1 lead. Emmanuel would lead throughout the full set, with Ellie Jackson earning 4 kills and Jocelyn Martin getting 3. The Lions would take set five, 15-9 and win the game, 3-2. 
 
The Lions had 62 kills on the night, 8 aces, 11 blocks, 59 assists and 73 digs. 
 
Jocelyn Martin led the way with 20 kills. Ellie Jackson had a double-double on the night with 18 kills (career high) and 13 digs. Alaina Emminger finished with 10 kills, hitting a career milestone of 1,000 kills becoming the third Lion in program history to do so. 
 
Freshman, Sami Gambill had 3 aces on the night, with Amore Marshall contributing 2. Sophomore, Brianna Bigelow led the team with six blocks, while sophomore, Cailin Pritchard finished with 4. Asia Queen ended the night with a career high 30 digs.  
 
The Lions will now take on Fort Lewis University to close out the night. 
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.