TAMPA, FL – The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball season kicked off their season against the #24 University of Findlay in a tournament hosted by the #10 University of Tampa. The Lions got off to a hot start, taking the first set but Findlay rallied to take the final three to earn a 3-1 victory, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-23. With the loss, the Lions fall to 0-1 on the season.
The first set saw the Lions take an early 5-4 lead on kills by
Ellie Jackson and
Cailin Pritchard. The Oilers tied things up at 7-7 and the two teams would trade points until the Lions went on a 8-0 run made up of 4 service aces by
Isabel Miller to put the Lions up 17-10. The Oilers would cut the Lions lead to four late in the set, 20-16 but Emmanuel would hold strong to earn the set one win, 25-20.
The Oilers jumped out to a 6-1 lead in set two, expanding it to 15-5 midway through. The Lions would use a 4-0 run late, made up of aces by
Sami Gambill and kills by
Marusa Pesut and Jackson to cut Findlay's lead to 23-16. The Oilers would take set two, 25-17.
The Oilers carried their momentum into set 3, taking an early 10-5 lead. The Lions responded well with kills by Jackson and
Brianna Bigelow, along with an ace by Jackson to cut the Oilers lead to 12-11. Findlay would continue on a run to push their lead to 20-15, and although the Lions would finish strong with kills by Jackson, Pritchard, and
Natalie Wilson, Findlay would take the set, 25-19.
The Oilers would take the early lead in set 4, expanding it to 13-7 midway through. Late in the set, the Lions would go on a 7-2 run, made up of kills by
Skye Graham and Jackson to tie the set at 18-18. The teams went back and forth late, but the Oilers earned the set win narrowly, 25-23 to earn the 3-1 win.
Overall, the Lions had 41 kills, 10 aces, 5 blocks, 34 assists and 44 digs.
Ellie Jackson led the way with 11 kills, while
Cailin Pritchard added 9.
Isabel Miller was strong from the service line with 4 aces, with
Skye Graham and
Sami Gambill adding 2 a piece. Graham led the team in block with 3, while
Marusa Pesut added 30 assists on the night.
Asia Queen led the Lions in digs with 14.
Next up, the Lions will continue tournament play, taking on host #10 ranked University of Tampa tomorrow at 1:15PM.
For more information on Emmanuel University Athletics, visit goeulions.com.
