Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball team hosted Chowan University tonight in conference action. The Hawks took the first set in competitive fashion, 26-24 but the Lions responded well to win the final three, 25-14, 25-15, ….. With the win, the Lions improve to 12-6 overall, 8-2 in conference play.

The two teams traded points and the lead early in the first set. The Hawks pulled ahead, 10-8 but the Lions answered with a 4-0 run to go ahead, 15-11 midway through the set. A kill by Brianna Bigelow put the Lions up 20-14 late in the set, but Chowan rallied to score the next 6 of 7 points to pull within a point, 21-20. An attack error by the Lions tied the set at 22-22, and the teams traded points the rest of the way, with the Hawks scoring the final two points to earn the set one win, 26-24. 

The Lions rebounded in set two, taking an early 7-3 lead on kills by Ellie Jackson. The Hawks would cut the Lions lead to 9-7, but attack errors by Chowan and a kill from Bigelow would push the Lions ahead, 14-7 midway through the set. Natalie Wilson and Cailin Pritchard collected kills to make it 18-11, Lions and back-to-back aces from Madelyn Banton made it 21-11. The Lions closed the set out strong with kills from Bigelow, Jackson and Wilson to give the Lions the set, 25-14. 

The Lions carried the momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead on kills by Jackson, Wilson and Jada Porter. Kills from Pritchard, Jackson, Marusa Pesut, and Brooke Lee gave the Lions a 15-5 lead midway through the set. Late in the set, the Lions held a 22-9 lead, but the Hawks pulled within ten, 24-14. A kill by Jackson put the set away, 25-15. 

In the 4^th set, the teams traded points and the lead early. The Lions pulled ahead 8-6 on attack errors by the Hawks, but Chowan answered to knot the set at 9-9. The Lions used kills by Wilson and Porter to take a 14-9 lead midway through the set. Lilli Redifer get in on the scoring action late with two aces to make the score 22-12 Lions. Kills from Pritchard and an attack error by the Hawks closed out set four with the Lions earning the 25-14 win and taking the game, 3-1. 

Overall, the Lions had 59 kills, 52 assists, 6 aces, 92 digs, and 11 blocks. 

Ellie Jackson led the Lions with a double-double of 18 kills and 14 digs. Isabel Miller had 25 digs to lead the Lions, while Cailin Pritchard picked up 3.5 blocks. Lilli Redifer had 3 aces on the night, while Marusa Pesut added 48 assists to lead the team.

Next up, the Lions will host Barton College tomorrow at 2PM. It's YOUTH DAY! All youth & middle school volleyball players will receive free admission to the game and an opportunity to walk out with the team for the starting lineup and high-five line! Following the game, youth players will have to chance to take photos and get autographs from the Lions! We hope you'll join us for a great day!

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.