Emory University junior Leah Saunders (Simpsonville, SC) has been named by the University Athletic Association as the Volleyball Offensive Co-Player of the Week following her performance at the Emory Classic. It is the first time in her career that she has been selected for the honor.
The 5-foot-8 Saunders played a key role in helping the No. 1-ranked Eagles to a 3-0 record over the weekend, seeing action in all 11 of the team's sets and averaging a team-high 3.82 kills per game while registering a solid hitting mark of .359 (42-14—78). In addition, she averaged 2.73 digs per set and doled out a squad-high seven service aces.
She led or tied for team honors in kills in two of the three contests, highlighted by a career-high 21 terminations that topped all players in a 3-1 triumph over No. 8 Johnson and Wales. In that match against the Wildcats she chipped in 14 digs (second on the team) and doled out a match-best four service aces. She closed out the Classic by tying for the club's lead with 13 successful attack attempts, chalking up a .346 hitting mark (13-4--26), while recording nine digs, in a 3-1 triumph vs. Sewanee.
Saunders shares this week's UAA award with Leila King of Washington University.
Next up for the Eagles are three matches this Friday and Saturday (Sept. 6-7) at the Berry College National Invitational. Emory will square off against No. 14 Christopher Newport on Friday before taking on Covenant College and No. 9 Berry on Saturday.