PEMBROKE, N.C. — The Emmanuel Women's Volleyball team battled back from a two-set deficit and forced a decisive fifth set against UNC Pembroke on Saturday afternoon, but the Lions ultimately fell 3-2 (25-23, 25-23, 18-25, 9-25, 15-11) at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
Emmanuel, which entered the match 7-5 overall and 4-1 in Conference Carolinas play, showed its resiliency throughout the match, answering UNC Pembroke's early advantage with back-to-back dominant sets to even the contest at two sets apiece.
The Lions came out strong in the opening two sets, but UNC Pembroke narrowly claimed both by identical 25-23 scores. Emmanuel responded emphatically in the third set, posting 18 kills while hitting .311 as a team to secure an 25-18 victory.
The fourth set saw Emmanuel turn in its most dominant performance of the afternoon. The Lions recorded 16 kills while committing just one attack error, finishing the frame with a .577 hitting percentage. Defensively, Emmanuel held UNC Pembroke to just six kills and a .074 hitting percentage as the Lions rolled to a 25-9 victory and forced a fifth set.
UNC Pembroke gained the early edge in the deciding set and held on for the 15-11 victory to take the match.
Despite the result, Emmanuel finished the afternoon with several statistical advantages. The Lions recorded 75 kills compared to 58 for UNC Pembroke, while also holding edges in assists (69-58), blocks (6-4) and digs (96-78). Emmanuel finished the match hitting .313 as a team.
Jackson Leads Lions Offensively
Ellie Jackson paced the Emmanuel attack with a match-high 22 kills, while Natalie Wilson added 19 kills and Cailin Pritchard finished with nine. Jackson also contributed four blocks and 21 digs in an all-around performance.
Marusa Pesut orchestrated the Lions' offense with 55 assists, while Isabel Miller added nine assists and led Emmanuel defensively with 27 digs. Brooke Lee recorded 18 digs, helping the Lions finish with 96 digs as a team.
A Positive Finish
While Emmanuel came away from Pembroke without the victory, the Lions demonstrated significant fight after falling into a 2-0 hole. Emmanuel responded by winning the next two sets in convincing fashion, including a fourth-set performance in which the Lions hit .577 and held UNC Pembroke below a .100 hitting percentage.
The comeback effort provides a strong takeaway for Emmanuel as the Lions continue Conference Carolinas play. The ability to respond under pressure, coupled with 75 kills, 96 digs and a .313 team hitting percentage, gives the Lions plenty of positives to carry into their next match.
Next up, the Lions will host Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday at 6PM.
For more information on Emmanuel Athletics, visit goeulions.com.
