The No. 3-ranked Emory volleyball team tuned up for the upcoming University Athletic Association Round Robin I by registering a Thursday evening victory at home over Covenant College.  The Eagles won for the 11^th straight time and raised their overall record to 12-1 following a 3-0 decision (25-15, 25-14, 29-27) over the Scots who slipped to 8-7.

Emory came through with another stellar defensive effort, holding the visitors to a -.008 hitting percentage (22-23—123) while finishing at .169 (41-21—118).  The Eagles held a decided 67-51 bulge in digs and posted a 12-8 edge in total blocks.

Sophomore Sara Carr led all players with nine terminations while adding seven digs and three block assists.  Junior middle Sydney Leimbach continued her steady play, ranking second on the squad with seven successful attack attempts and contributing a match-high eight (0-8) total blocks.  Junior Karissa Dzurik, who saw her first action of the campaign, sophomore Morgan McKnight and freshman Leah Saunders all rang up six kills. Saunders also chipped in 12 digs and two block assists. Sophomore Elyse Thompson spearheaded the Emory defensive effort with a match-high 19 digs, her 13^th contest in double figures this year, while junior Mady Arles doled out 20 assists.

The Eagles will open the conference Round Robin on Saturday (Sept. 30) with a noon bout against the University of Rochester.  Serving as the host for the weekend event will be Case Western Reserve.