Emory Head Volleyball Coach Jenny McDowell has announced that former standout Leah Saunders will join the program as an assistant coach.
A four-year member of Emory Volleyball, Saunders garnered a bevy of honors while helping the Eagles to a NCAA D-III national title as well as two appearances in the title match. In 2019, Saunders garnered First Team All-America acclaim as selected by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Named the University Athletic Association's Most Valuable Player for a second straight season, the first Emory player to earn that honor in back-to-back campaigns, she posted 22 matches of double-figure kills and 15 contests of double-doubles (kills/digs). The Eagles set a program record that year for winning percentage (.919), turning in a final slate of 34-3. As a sophomore, she helped Emory to its second-ever national championship, earning honorable mention All-America accolades along the way. She dialed up 13 outings of 10 or more kills en route to helping the Eagles finish with a mark of 30-6.
During her three playing campaigns (no season in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic), the Eagles fashioned an impressive record of 94-16 and brought home a pair of league crowns. At the conclusion of her collegiate career, she had amassed 52 double-figure kills matches and ranked 15th on the school's all-time chart in kills average (2.84 kps) and 18th with 1,040 terminations.
"There is no question that after an illustrious career Leah is going to make the same incredible impact as a coach as she did as a player," McDowell said. "Her volleyball IQ is off the charts, she is a gifted teacher of the game, and her passion for our program will be felt by every current and future player who competes in an Emory uniform."
A member of the 2020 UAA President's Council Scholar-Athlete Team, Leah graduated in May as an Anthropology major.