AUGUSTA, GA – The Emmanuel Women's team traveled to Augusta, GA tonight to take on the Augusta University Jaguars in regional play. The Jaguars came into the contest 13-2 on the year, but the Lions were ready to prove themselves. The match up was competitive from the start, but the Lions came away with the sweep, 25-20, 26-24, 25-23. With the win, the Lions improve to 10-5 on the year. 

The first set saw the Lions take an early 7-2 lead with kills by Ellie Jackson, Marusa Pesut and Cailin Pritchard along with an ace by Sami Gambill. The Jaguars responded to cut the Lions lead to 7-5 but a 4-0 run by the Lions pushed their lead to 12-6. Midway through the set, another ace by Gambill made it 18-11, Lions but the Jaguars responded well to make it 23-20 Lions, late. Costly errors for the Jaguars closed out the set strong to give the Lions the 25-20 win in set one. 

The two teams traded points and the lead early in the second set. Tied at 16-16 midway through the set, the Lions used a 3-0 run made up of kills by Isabella Reyes to pull away 19-16. The Lions continued their run with kills by Reyes and Natalie Wilson to make it 22-19, but the Jaguars rallied to tie the set at 24 all. Reyes continued her strong play to end the set scoring the final two points for the Lions on a kill and an ace to give the Lions the 2^nd set win, 26-24. 

The third set kicked off with a 7-1 run by the Lions with key plays by Jackson, Pritchard, and Madelyn Banton. The Jaguars responded to take the lead, 11-10 midway through the set, pushing their lead to 17-11 but the Lions roared back with an 8-0 run to take a 22-19 lead. The Lions closed the set out strong on a kill by Natalie Wilson to earn the 25-23 win in set three and the 3-0 sweep over the Jaguars. 

Overall, the Lions had 40 kills, 9 aces, 4 blocks, 37 assists, and 60 digs on the night. 

Ellie Jackson led the way with another double-double (14 kills, 18 digs). Sami Gambill led the team with 3 aces on the night, with Jackson and Madelyn Banton each adding two. Three Lions (Cailin Pritchard, Marusa Pesut, and Brianna Bigelow) had 2 blocks each to lead the team, with Pesut adding 32 assists. 

Next up, the Lions will host Francis Marion University in conference play on Friday at 7PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.