The No. 1-ranked Emory University volleyball team continued its winning ways on Thursday evening, battling to a victory over South Region foe Birmingham Southern at the Woodruff PE Center. The Eagles were victorious for the 10th straight triumph and boosted their overall slate to 16-1 following a 3-1 (21-25, 25-12, 26-24, 25-17) decision over the Panthers who slipped to 12-5.
In a spirited match that featured a number of outstanding rallies, Emory closed out the night hitting .217 (58-25—152), with its kills total a season high, compared to BSC's mark of .091 (37-24—143). Emory held a 72-62 advantage in digs and an 11-10 edge in total blocks.
Emory saw three players finish with double-figure kills, led by junior Leah Saunders who blasted away for 20 terminations and turned in a keen hitting mark of .395 (20-5—38). Saunders' kills total represented her third-highest career output and marked her ninth outing this season with 10 or more successful attack attempts. In addition, Saunders ranked second on the club with 12 digs, her fourth double-double (kills/digs) of the campaign. Sophomore Tara Martin chalked up 14 kills, her second-highest effort of the season and sixth of 10 or more. Senior Morgan McKnight rounded out the trio with 11 knockouts, her 10th match of double figures this season. McKnight inched closer to the 1,000 career-kills plateau, finishing the evening with 979. Senior libero Elyse Thompson, recognized prior to the contest for becoming the program's all-time leader in digs at last Sunday's UAA Round Robin II, led all players in that category with a season-high 28. Juniors Finn Wilkins (1-5—6) and Maggie Rimmel (0-5—5) led Emory in blocks.
Emory, now 8-0 at the Woodruff PE Center this season, returns to action next Tuesday (Oct. 15) when it travels to Covenant College.