2006 RECAP

(Dec. 2006) The Emory University volleyball team posted the program's 13th consecutive winning  season in 2006, finishing the year with a 28-11 record that included the school's 11th straight NCAA Tournament bid where it advanced to the regional finals  The team's 28 victories represented the 16th straight year of 20 or more wins for the Eagles.  Emory's record included a 10-2 ledger in University Athletic Association contests, good for second place. Emory concluded the campaign ranked No. 10 in the nation.

The 2006 season was a testament to perseverance and dedication as Emory battled through injuries that forced Head Coach Jenny McDowell to juggle the lineup on a regular basis. With 2005 NCAA Player of the Year Courtney Rose sidelined the entire season due to injury and veteran stalwarts Janet Bunning and Dani Huffman missing parts of the year with ailments, the Eagles saw a number of players step up to meet the challenge of filling those voids.

As usual, the Eagles played an extremely competitive schedule that featured 12 regular-season matches against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.  Emory won its own Classic Tournament the weekend of Sept. 8-9, posting four wins including a 3-0 sweep of eventual NCAA Tournament participant Hiram College.  Emory came away with wins over top-20 teams in back-to-back weekends, topping No. 15 Austin College at the Southwestern University Invitational (Sept. 16) and No. 16 Mount St. Joseph's (Sept. 23).   Other key wins against ranked teams included a pair of wins over New York University (ranked 14th and 19th) and another triumph against No. 19 Austin College in the NCAA Tournament.

When in the lineup, junior Janet Bunning was a steadying force for the team.  Bunning earned first team All-America honors after ranking as the team's leader in kills (3.89 kpg), blocks per game (1.29 bpg) and hitting percentage (36.0%).  She posted double-figure kills in 18 of the 25 matches she appeared in and chalked up 13 double-doubles (kills/digs).  Among UAA players, she ranked third in hitting percentage, third in kills per game, fourth in blocks and 13th in digs (3.35 dpg). Bunning's career-high 25 kills in a five-game battle against No. 2-ranked Washington University was the high-water mark by an Emory player this season and tied her for 10th-place on the school's match list.

Bolstering the fortunes of the squad was Alysee Meyer who was named the Division III Freshman of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).  A third-team All-American, The 6-foot outside hitter emerged as a dominant offensive force, finishing second on the team and fourth among UAA players in kills per game (3.52 kpg) and 10th in the league (first among UAA frosh) with a 31.8 hitting percentage.  She recorded 22 matches of double-figure kills and her kills total placed her in a tie for 19th-place on the school's seasonal chart. In addition, Meyer was also tabbed at the UAA's Rookie of the Year Award winner.

Sophomores Maggie Baird and Madison Robelen both earned first team All-UAA recognition while junior Maggie Ramm garnered second-team acclaim.

Baird, an honorable-mention pick in 2005, was a consistent and productive force from her right side position.  In overall play, Baird averaged 2.34 kills per game and posted a 31.4 hitting percentage.  Those averages increased significantly in conference action to  2.73 kills per game and a 38.1 attack percentage, good for the No. 4 spot on the league chart.   

Robelen directed the Eagles' offense with precision all season from her setter position, averaging 10.7 assists per game in overall play, good for the No. 2 spot among UAA performers.  In conference affairs, she averaged a league-best 13.24 assists per game.  Her setting helped Emory to a No. 1 position in hitting percentage among UAA teams for league games (34.9%) while the squad's overall mark of 28.2 percent placed it No. 2 in the UAA and No. 8 nationally.  Her 1,413 assists enabled her to claim the No. 2 position on the school's seasonal list.

Ramm established herself as one of the premier defensive specialists in Emory history and smashed the school season record for digs with 558.  Holding down the No. 3 spot among UAA players in digs (4.54 dpg).  Ramm totaled 31 matches of double-figure digs including nine outings of 20 or more.  Ramm established a school-match record with 38 digs against Austin College in the NCAA Tournament.  She was recognized for her play by the UAA and was selected as the league's Libero of the Week on three occasions in 2006.

As a team, the Eagles established school seasonal records in assists per game (13.79 apg), total digs (2,564), digs per game (18.06 dpg), solo blocks (143) and total blocks (393).  On the national scene, Emory ranked 14th in the nation in assists per game, 27th in blocks per game (2.77 bpg) and 10th in kills per game (15.46 kpg).

American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Team
Janet Bunning                   First Team                Washington, DC (Woodrow Wilson)
Alysee Meyer                   Third Team             Stockton, CA (Lincoln)

AVCA Freshman of the Year
Alysee Meyer                     (one winner)                             Stockton, CA (Lincoln)
                                                                 
NCAA Division III All-South
Janet Bunning                           (one team)                          Washington DC (Woodrow Wilson)
Alysee Meyer                           (one team)                          Stockton, CA (Lincoln)
Madison Robelen               Honorable Mention                   Boca Raton, FL (Spanish River)

NCAA Division III South Region Freshman of the Year
Alysee Meyer                      (one winner)                      Stockton, CA (Lincoln)

All-University Athletic Association (UAA)
Maggie Baird                         First Team                       San Antonio, TX (Winston Churchill)
Madison Robelen                  First Team                       Boca Raton, FL (Spanish River)
Alysee Meyer                        Second Team                  Stockton, CA (Lincoln)
Maggie Ramm                       Second Team                  Tampa, FL (H.B. Plant)
Janet Bunning                        Honorable Mention          Washington, D.C. (Woodrow Wilson)

UAA Rookie of the Year
Alysee Meyer                           (one winner)                 Stockton, CA (Lincoln)

Southwestern University Invitational All-Tournament Team
Dani Huffman                                                               San Diego, CA (Scripps Ranch)

Emory Classic All-Tournament Team
Janet Bunning                           MVP                            Washington, D.C. (Woodrow Wilson)
Dani Huffman                                                               San Diego, CA (Scripps Ranch)

Emory Invitational All-Tournament Team
Madison Robelen                                                         Boca Raton, FL (Spanish River)
Janet Bunning                                                               Washington, D.C. (Woodrow Wilson)                    

Emory National Invitational All-Tournament Team
Janet Bunning                           MVP                            Washington, D.C. (Woodrow Wilson)
Madison Robelen                                                         Boca Raton, FL (Spanish River)
Maggie Baird                                                    San Antonio, TX  (Winston Churchill)
Maggie Ramm                                                              Tampa, FL (H.B. Plant)

UAA  Player of the Week
Dani Huffman                           Sept. 19, 2006             San Diego, CA (Scripps Ranch)
Maggie Ramm                          Oct. 3, 2006                Tampa, FL (H.B. Plant)
Maggie Ramm                          Oct. 10, 2006              Tampa, FL (H.B. Plant)
Janet Bunning                           Oct. 17, 2006              Washington, D.C. (Woodrow Wilson)
Madison Robelen                     Oct. 24, 2006              Boca Raton, FL (Spanish River)
Maggie Ramm                          Nov. 14, 2006             Tampa, FL (H.B. Plant)

EMORY'S MAGGIE RAMM NAMED UAA VOLLEYBALL LIBERO OF THE WEEK

(Nov. 14) - For the third time this season, Emory University junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Volleyball Libero of the Week following her performance at the NCAA South Regional held in San Antonio, Texas.

The 5-foot-9 Ramm totaled 63 digs in the Eagles' two matches over the weekend. She
posted a school-record 38 digs in a five-game win against No. 19-ranked Austin College before registering a match-high 25 digs in a four-game setback against No. 5-ranked and host Trinity University. Ramm's digs total in the Trinity contest represented her ninth match of 20 or more digs this season.  In addition, Ramm dished out a pair of service aces in both matches

Ramm closed out the 2006 season with a school-record 558 digs and led the team in service aces with 50.

 

NO. 12-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL DROPS FOUR-GAME DECISION TO NO. 5 TRINITY IN NCAA REGIONAL FINAL

(Nov. 11) - The No. 12-ranked Emory University volleyball team saw its season come to and end as it came out on the short end of a four-game decision to No. 5-ranked Trinity in the South  Regional Final of the NCAA Division III Tournament.  The host Tigers earned the right
to advance the NCAA Quarterfinals following a 30-26, 23-30, 30-24, 30-24 triumph over
 Emory who closed out the 2006 campaign with an overall record of 28-11.

After dropping the first game, Emory hit 32.5 percent in the second game to tie the
match.  However, the Eagles were stymied in their effort in trying to build upon the
momentum from that win and dropped the next two games, closing out the
match and their season.

Sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) paced the Emory attack with 14 kills and a
40.0 hitting percentage (14-4-25).  Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA), the AVCA Division
III Freshman of the Year, finished the match with 13 kills and a season-high 12 digs
while sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) rounded out the trio of double-figure
Kill producers with 10 attacks.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) led all players with
25 digs, her ninth match of 20-plus digs this season and sophomore setter Madison
Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) doled out 43 assists and contributed 12 digs. Robelen ended
the year with 1,413 digs, good for the No. 2 spot Emory's seasonal chart.

Nov. 11

TWO EMORY VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS EARN AVCA ALL-AMERICA HONORS

Two members of the Emory University volleyball team have earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America honors for the 2006 season.  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.) was named a First Team All-American while freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) was chosen as a Third Team All-American.  In addition, Meyer was chosen as the AVCA Division III Freshman of the Year.

Despite being slowed by injuries, the 5-foot-10 Bunning, an honorable mention All-American a year ago, ranked as the team's leader in kills (3.89 kpg) and blocks (1.29 bpg) per game and hitting percentage (36.0%) while ranking second on the squad with a 3.35 digs per-game average.  She posted double-figure kills in 18 of the 25 matches she appeared in and posted 15 matches of double-figure digs including three contests of 20 or more.  Bunning's season came to an end on Oct. 28 when she suffered an injury against Juniata College.

Meyer emerged as a dominant offensive force for the Eagles and took a 3.55 kills per game average into the NCAA Tournament.  The 6-foot Meyer had registered a 33.5 hitting percentage which ranked her eighth among University Athletic Association players and tops among all league freshmen.  Heading into NCAA action, Meyer had 21 matches of double-figure kills to her credit.

In addition, the duo of Bunning and Meyer also captured AVCA First Team All-South Region honors with Bunning's berth representing the second consecutive season that she had landed on the first team.  Meyer was also tabbed as the Region's Freshman of the Year.  Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) was chosen as an honorable-mention pick to the All-South Region Team.

Nov. 10

NO. 12-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL RALLIES TO CLAIM FIVE-GAME WIN OVER AUSTIN COLLEGE IN NCAA OPENER

The No. 12-ranked Emory University volleyball team staged its own version of a "Texas Shootout" Friday evening as it rallied to claim a thrilling five-game win over No. 19-ranked Austin College in its opening game of the NCAA Tournament held in San Antonio, Texas.  The Eagles, the No. 2 seed in the South Region, boosted its record to 28-10 following a 29-31, 30-28, 25-30, 30-24, 15-7 triumph over the Kangaroos who closed out their season with an overall record of 34-8.

Emory could not have picked a better time to even its record in five-game matches this year at 3-3.  The Eagles spread out their offense and finished the match with four players totaling double-figure kills.  Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) tied her season high with 20 kills and was complemented by sophomore right side Maggie Baird, who celebrated her first-team All-University Athletic Association berth earlier this week with a career-high 19 terminations.  Baird paced the team with a 34.3 hitting percentage (19-7-35) and chipped in three block assists.  Freshman Alysee Meyer (Stockton, CA) finished with 16 attacks, her 21st outing of 10 or more kills this season, and sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) rounded out the group with 12 kills.   Sophomore setter Madision Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) enjoyed a career night as well with 62 assists that represented a personal best.

For the match, Emory finished with a 20.7 hitting percentage (78-36-203) compared to the Kangaroos' effort of 14.7 percent (57-31-177).  In the last two games of the match, the Eagles' defense rose to the occasion and held its foe to a -4.5 attack percentage.  Austin College held a slight 95-92 edge in digs while Emory held a 14-8 bulge in total blocks.

In the decisive fifth game, Emory bolted to a 6-0 advantage before stretching its lead to 9-1.  Austin College got to within five points on two occasions but could not overtake Emory.

Spearheading the Eagles' defensive effort was junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) with a school-record 38 digs.  Ramm's mark bettered the previous standard of 27 held by Chrissy Bloomgren against Trinity on Sept. 15, 2000. Freshman middle Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) gave Emory a huge lift with her play at the net, finishing with 10 total blocks (1-9).

With the win, Emory advances to the regional final Saturday evening (7:00 pm CST) where it will play either host and No. 5-ranked Trinity University or Southwestern University.

Nov. 9

EMORY VOLLEYBALL WELL REPRESENTED ON ALL-UAA TEAM

Four members of the Emory University volleyball team were chosen to the 2006 All- University Athletic Association first or second team.  The all-league teams were selected by the conference coaches.

Sophomores Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) and Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) captured first-team berths while freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) brought home second-team recognition.  In addition, Meyer was tabbed as the league's Rookie of the Year Award winner.

Baird, an honorable-mention pick a year ago, was a consistent and productive force from her right side position.  In overall play, Baird averaged 2.28 kills per game and posted a 31.7 hitting percentage.  Those averages increased significantly in conference action to  2.73 kills per game and a 38.1 attack percentage, good for the No. 4 spot on the league chart.   

Robelen directed the Eagles' offense with precision all season from her setter position, averaging 10.63 assists per game in overall play.  In conference affairs, she averaged a league-best 13.24 assists per game.  Her setting helped Emory to a No. 1 position in hitting percentage among UAA teams for league games (34.1%).   Her 1,308 assists in overall action ranks third on the school's seasonal list.

Meyer emerged as a vital piece of the Emory's offensive attack and ranked third among UAA players in league outings with an impressive 4.00 kills-per game mark while posting an equally noteworthy 39.5 hitting percentage, good for the No. 2 position.  In overall action, she has totaled 3.55 kills per game and owns a 33.5 hitting percentage.

Ramm provided the Eagles a solid defensive presence from her libero position and ranked fourth among UAA players in digs in both conference (4.43 dpg) and overall (4.34 dpg).  She turned in 29 matches of double-figure digs including all 12 of her UAA contests.  She stands first on the school's seasonal list in digs with 495. 

Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.), who is out the rest of the season with a knee injury, was an honorable-mention pick to the All-UAA Team.

Emory, 27-10 overall and ranked No. 12 in the nation, will make its 11th straight NCAA Tournament appearance when it plays on Friday (Nov. 11) at 4:30 pm against either Austin College or Hardin-Simmons. Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, serves as the host site of this weekend's South Regional.

 Nov. 8

NO. 12-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL PREPARES FOR NCAA TOURNAMENT

NCAA TOURNAMENT FACTS - The No. 12-ranked Emory volleyball team makes its 11th straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament when it ventures to San Antonio, Texas, to take part in the six-team South Regional. The Eagles, the No. 2 seed in the region, drew an opening-round bye and will play on Friday (Nov. 10) at 4:30 p.m., against the winner of Austin College vs. Hardin-Simmons.  Trinity University serves as the host of the action and it will play on Friday as well against the victor of the Southwestern vs. Averett contest. The winner of this regional advances to the quarterfinals, Nov. 16, at Salem, Virginia.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 337-98.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 11 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Ed Garza (Ouachita Baptist, '86) is in his 10th year as head coach at Austin College.  Heading into this weekend, he has a school record of 251-100.

Hardin-Simmons is led by Hugh Hernesman, who is in his third season with the Cowgirls.  Hernesman will check into Thursday's action with a school and career record of 47-42.  Prior to his current post, he served as an assistant coach at UW-Whitewater from 1999 through 2004. 

Hannah Long is (NYU, '93) is the head coach at Southwestern University.  

Danny Miller is in his 12th season as the man in charge of the Averett University Cougars' program.  A graduate of Averett, Miller has a school mark of 320-136.

Julie Jenkins (William & Mary, '81) is in her 22nd campaign at Trinity.  Entering the NCAA Tournament, she has posted a school ledger of 578-263. 

THE RECORDS - Emory stands 27-10 overall and is coming off a runner-up finish at the University Athletic Association Championships this past weekend.  The Eagles topped the University of Chicago (3-1), Brandeis (3-0) and New York University (3-0) on the first day of action before posting a 3-0 win over host Carnegie Mellon on Saturday in the semifinals.  In the championship match, Emory fell, 3-0, to No. 2-ranked Washington University.  The 27 triumphs marks the 16th straight season that the Eagles have compiled 20 or more wins in a season. 

Austin College, ranked No. 19 nationally, will meet Hardin-Simmons with an overall record of 33-7.  The Kangaroos, a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, posted a 14-4 effort in league play and earned one of the 17 at-large bids to the tournament.

Hardin-Simmons stands 19-14 and is making its first-ever NCAA appearance.  The Cowgirls earned an automatic berth following its championship in the American Southwest Conference Tournament.

Southwestern University, another member of the SCAC, takes an overall mark of 29-8 into its Thursday bout against Averett.  The Pirates are ranked No. 20 nationally.

Averett University, a member of the USA South Conference, is brining an overall record of 29-6 into its fourth-ever NCAA appearance.  The Cougars earned an automatic bid following its win over Christopher Newport in the league's tournament final.

Trinity University is making its 15th consecutive NCAA trip and posts a 32-6 record.  The Tigers are the No. 1 seed in the region and are ranked No. 5 nationally.

SERIES RECORDS - Emory stands 3-0 against Austin College.  Earlier this season (Sept. 16), the Eagles recorded a 3-1 decision over the Kangaroos at the Southwestern Invitational.  Last season, Emory knocked Austin College out of the NCAA Sweet 16.

If Emory and Hardin-Simmons meet, it would represent the first meeting in volleyball between the schools.

The Eagles post an all-time record of 14-2 against Averett.  The last meeting took place during the early stages of the 2005 campaign where Emory claimed a 3-0 decision against the Cougars.

Emory holds a 10-4 series edge against Southwestern, though the Pirates did come away with a 3-1 triumph over the Eagles earlier this year (Sept. 15).

Trinity possesses a slight 8-7series margin over Emory.  The last meeting took place on Oct. 29, 2004, when the Tigers recorded a 3-0 victory on their home floor.

EMORY NOTES  -- In University Athletic Association statistics released Nov. 6, Emory stood second among UAA teams in hitting percentage (28.6%) and third in assists (13.80 apg), kills (15.43 kpg) and digs (17.89 dpg) ... Sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) ranks sixth among UAA players in hitting percentage (33.8%) and is 18th in kills per game (2.56 kpg) ... Huffman hit a season-high 75.0 percent (13-1-16) against Brandies this past weekend at the UAA Championships ... It was her second-highest hitting percentage as an Eagle with her best being  a 78.6 percent performance last season vs. Rochester ... Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) is eighth among league performers in attack percentage (33.5%) and fourth in kills (3.55 kpg) ... Meyer has 20 matches of double-figure attacks to her credit this year and is coming off an outstanding UAA Championships performance where she chalked up 63 kills while hitting 40.8 percent (63-16-175) ... Meyer's kills-per-game mark places her seventh on the school's seasonal ladder in that category ... Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) is ninth among UAA players in kills (3.19 kpg) and 15th in attack percentage (26.6%) ... Buren has 16 outings of 10 or more kills this year ... Sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) continues her climb up Emory's seasonal chart in assists and enters this weekend's action in the No. 3 position with 1,308 ... Robelen is 80 shy of tying Remley Dodge (2002) for the No. 2 spot with 1,388 ... In addition, she is fourth on the Eagles' seasonal chart in digs with 393 ... Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) continues to further establish herself as the school's seasonal leader in digs, coming out of last weekend's action with 495 ... Ramm's 21 digs in the NYU match was her seventh outing of 20 or more digs ... Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) holds down the No. 13 position among UAA players with a 31.7 hitting percentage ...  Emory recorded 10 or more service aces in three of its UAA matches this past weekend, boosting the total to 16 contests where it has double digits in that category ... Emory's 2,052 kills this year is No. 3 on the school's seasonal chart while its current 15.51 kills per game is good for the No. 2  slot.

EMORY A FIXTURE IN THE POLLS  - This week's No. 12 national ranking in the CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Poll marks the 117th straight poll that Emory has ranked among the nation's top teams.  The streak started with the Sept. 25, 1996, rankings when Emory held down the No. 15 position.  In 1998 the rankings expanded to include the Top 20 teams before expanding again in 2002 for a Top 25.

BUNNING TO MISS REST OF SEASON  - Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC)
suffered a knee injury midway through the second game of the Juniata match and will miss the rest of the season.  Bunning led the team in several categories including kills per game (3.89 kpg) and hitting percentage (36.0%) while holding down the No. 2 spot in digs (3.35 dpg).

Nov. 6

EMORY VOLLEYBALL EARNS BID TO NCAA TOURNAMENT

The Emory volleyball team has earned its 11th consecutive berth to the NCAA Division III National Championship.  The Eagles learned late Sunday evening that they have been seeded No. 2 in the South Region and will be venturing to San Antonio, Texas, for their opening matches.  Emory (27-10) drew an opening-round bye and will play on Friday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m. against the winner of Austin College (33-7) vs. Hardin-Simmons (19-14). 

Trinity University (32-6) will serve as the host of this weekend's action and will play on Friday at 7:00 p.m. against the winner of Southwestern University (29-8) vs. Averett (29-6).  The winner of this weekend's play advances to Salem, Virginia, for quarterfinal play on November 16.  The semifinals and finals will also be in Salem and played on Nov. 17-18.

"I am excited for the team and it is a credit to them to be selected as an at-large team," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said.  "They have had to battle through adversity with the injuries that we had throughout the season but they toughed it out.  This team has competed well on the road this year and we are looking forward to the challenge."

A total of three teams from the University Athletic Association earned spots in the 60-team field.  In addition to Emory, Washington University (33-1) and New York University (32-6) are members of the tourney field.  Washington University drew Nebraska Wesleyan in its first match while NYU will meet Hunter.

 Nov. 4

NO. 13-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL TEAM  FALLS TO WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN UAA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

The No. 13-ranked Emory University volleyball team saw its inspired run for a University Athletic Association championship fall short Saturday afternoon as the Eagles dropped a three-game decision to No. 2-ranked Washington University.  Emory saw its record fall to 27-10 overall following a 30-20, 31-29, 32-30 loss to the Bears who captured their 23rd straight win en to upping their record to 31-1.

Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) capped off a strong weekend performance by totaling a team-high 15 kills.  Sophomore Madision Robelen made the most of her attack opportunities and finished with 10 terminations while dishing out 36 assists.  Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) came through with nine kills.

Defensively, Robelen came up with 18 digs while junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) picked up 12.

Emory, winners of 13 of its last 15 matches, returns to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon and will wait to hear to in regards to its postseason fate.

 Nov. 4

NO. 13 EMORY VOLLEYBALL TOPS CARNEGIE MELLON - ADVANCES TO UAA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

The No.13-ranked Emory University volleyball team has advanced to the University Athletic Association championship match following a win over host Carnegie Mellon in the semifinals.  The Eagles raised their overall record to 27-9 following a 30-23, 30-24, 30-16 win over CMU.

Freshmen Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) each recorded 11 kills to lead the offensive attack with Meyer contributing a pair of service aces and Buren a pair of solo blocks.  Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) chipped in nine kills along with four blocks (1-3) while sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) finished the contest with eight attacks. Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) dished out 38 assists and contributed 11 digs.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) posted a team-high 15 digs.

Emory will face No. 2-ranked Washington University in the title match schedule to start at 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 3

EMORY VOLLEYBALL TOPS NYU - FINISHES 3-0 AFTER FIRST DAY OF UAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

The No. 13-ranked Emory University volleyball team closed out a solid first at day at the  University Athletic Association Championships Friday, posting a three-game win over No. 19-ranked New York University.  The Eagles captured their third match of the day in decisive style, bettering the Violets by a 30-22, 30-27, 30-15 count. The victory upped Emory's overall record to 26-9 while NYU fell to 31-5.  This year's championship is being played in Pittsburgh and hosted by Carnegie Mellon University.

Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) was the lone Emory player to record double figures in kills, finishing with 12.  Classmate Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) totaled nine terminations and chipped in five service aces in the cause while sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) contributed eight kills.   Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) paced the squad with 19 digs and sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) finished with 39 assists.

Emory, winners of 12 of its last 13 matches, advances to the semifinals on Saturday where it will play Carnegie Mellon at  11:30 am. 

 Nov. 3

EMORY VOLLEYBALL BREEZES BY BRANDEIS - STANDS 2-0 IN UAA CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY

The No. 13-ranked Emory University volleyball team continued its solid play at the University Athletic Association Championships on Friday, recording a three-game win over Brandeis University in its second match of the day.  The Eagles raised their overall record to 25-9 following a 30-23, 30-13, 30-14 decision over the Judges who fell to 17-16.  This year's championship is being played in Pittsburgh and hosted by Carnegie Mellon University.

Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) once again was a dominant force offensively with a team-high 15 kills.  Sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) totaled 13 terminations while freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) chipped in 10 attacks.  Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) dished out 44 assists and junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) registered 17 digs.

Emory closes out Friday play with a 4:30 pm match against No. 19-ranked New York University.

NOTES - Meyer's 15 kills represented her 18th match of double-figure kills this season and marked her sixth performance of 15 or more ... Huffman's 13 kills in the Brandeis match was her 10th match of the campaign of double digits in that category ... Buren's 10 kills gives her 16 matches of 10 or more attacks this year ... Robelen's  87 assists through two matches increase her season total to 1,195, good for seventh place on the school's seasonal chart.  Robelen is just 11 assists shy of moving past Amy Shapiro (1999) current sixth-place mark of 1,205.

 Nov. 3

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD OFF TO A GOOD START AT UAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

The No.13-ranked Emory University volleyball got off to a good start at the University Athletic Association Championships this morning with a four-game win over the University of Chicago.  The Eagles raised their overall record to 24-9 following a 30-20, 30-14, 28-30, 30-12 decision over the Maroons who fell to 4-27.  This year's championship is being played in Pittsburgh and hosted by Carnegie Mellon University.

Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) led the offensive attack with 12 kills apiece while sophomore Maggie Baird totaled (San Antonio, TX) nine attacks.  Meyer also doled four service aces as did sophomore Ellen Scott (Rancho Santa Fe, CA).  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) and Scott each posted a team-high 10 digs with Ramm's total giving her 430 on the year, good for the top spot on the school's all-time season chart.

Emory will play two more matches on Friday, an 11:30 am contest against Brandeis and a 4:30 pm tilt against No. 19-ranked New York University.

Nov. 2

NO. 13-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL GEARS UP FOR UAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHAMPIONSHIP FACTS - The No. 13-ranked Emory volleyball team ventures to Pittsburgh this Friday and Saturday (Nov. 3-4) when it competes at the University Athletic Association Championships.  Hosting this year's event is Carnegie Mellon University.  The Eagles have three matches slated for Friday - 9:00 a.m.., vs. Chicago; 11:30 a.m., vs. Brandies and a 4:30 p.m., bout against No. 19-ranked New York University.  Saturday matches are scheduled for 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 333-97.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Dorinda von Tersch (Dayton, '90) is in her sixth year as head coach of the University of Chicago.  Prior to her current post, she served as head coach at Colgate University from 1998-2000.  Her first head coaching post was at Northeastern Illinois in 1997. 

Brandeis is led by Michelle Kim (Binghamton, '96) who is in her third season with the Judges. Prior to being named head in the summer of 2004, Kim had served as an assist at Brandies since 1999.  

Ed Caesar (NYU, '93) is in his fifth season at the helm of the NYU program and checks into the UAA Championships with a school and career won-lost ledger of 178-38.

THE RECORDS - Emory posts an overall record of 23-9 and closed out the regular-season portion of University Athletic Association play with a 6-1 mark, good for second place. In their most recent outing, the Eagles split a pair of home matches last Saturday, defeating the University of West Georgia in three games (30-20, 30-27, 30-25) before dropping a three-game verdict to No. 1-ranked Juniata (30-28, 30-19, 30-20).

Chicago will meet Emory with an overall record of 4-26 including a 1-6 ledger in UAA contests. The Maroons' last outing was a three-game loss to No. 6-ranked Carthage on Oct. 25.

Brandeis stands 17-14 overall and compiled a 2-5 mark in league outings.  BU is coming off a productive weekend that saw them post four wins en route to a championship effort at the Judges Classic.

New York University has won 12 of its last 13 matches and stand 29-4 overall and showed a mark of 5-2 in the conference, good for the No. 3 spot.

SERIES RECORDS - Emory stands 20-11 against Chicago.  Earlier this season, the Eagles recorded a 3-0 decision over the Maroons.

Emory holds a 24-6 edge in the all-time series against Brandeis.  In the UAA Round Robin I held at Emory earlier this season, the Eagles topped the Judges in four games.

Emory shows an all-time mark of 22-13 against NYU.  The Eagles topped the Violets, 3-0 at the UAA Round Robin II earlier this year.
 
BUNNING TO MISS REST OF SEASON  - Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC)
suffered a knee injury midway through the second game of the Juniata match and will miss the rest of the season.  Bunning led the team in several categories including kills per game (3.89 kpg) and hitting percentage (36.0%) while holding down the No. 2 spot in digs (3.35 dpg).

EMORY NOTES  -- In University Athletic Association statistics released Oct. 29, Emory stood second among UAA teams in hitting percentage (27.7%), and third in assists (13.84 apg) and kills (15.63 kpg).  and blocks (2.77 bpg) while holding down the No. 1 position in kills (15.69 kpg) ... Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) is ninth among league performers in attack percentage (32.2%) and sixth in kills (3.51 kpg) ...Meyer has 16 matches of double-figure attacks to her credit ... Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) is just two digs shy of becoming Emory's all-time seasonal leader in that category ... Ramm currently has 420 digs and is one shy of tying the current mark of 421 held by Kelly McIntosh in 2005 ... Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) holds down the No. 12 spot on Emory's seasonal ladder in assists with 1,108 ... Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) is eighth on the UAA chart in kills per game (3.22 kpg) ...  Sophomores Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) and  Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) stands 10th and 12th, respectively, in hitting percentage with marks of 30.9 percent and 30.1percent.

EMORY  NO. 13 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 12 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 600 points and all 24 first-place votes.  

Oct. 28

NO. 1-RANKED JUNIATA DEFEATS EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD IN THREE GAMES

The No.1-ranked Juniata volleyball team invaded the Woodruff PE Center Saturday evening and came away with a three-game win over No. 12-ranked Emory.  Juniata raised its overall record to 35-1 following a 30-28, 30-19, 30-20 victory over Emory who saw its record fall to 23-9.

Both squads hit well below their season averages in the match that featured outstanding defense by both teams.  Juniata hit 11.4 percent while the Eagles of Head Coach Jenny McDowell finished with a negative attack percentage.  Juniata finished with a 54-53 edge in digs while Emory held a 6-5 margin in blocks.

After dropping a hard fought first game and trailing by an 18-16 margin in game two, Emory lost the services of junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.) for the remainder of the contest with a leg injury.  Facing a 19-17 deficit, Emory saw the top-ranked Division III squad in the nation rattle off an 11-2 burst that closed out that game.  In the third game, Emory fell behind by a 9-3 count but rallied to draw to within two at 14-16. However, that was as close as Emory would get as Juniata finished with a 7-3 run.

Freshmen Alysse Mayer (Stockton, CA) and Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) each posted seven kills to lead the squad in that department.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) and Meyer recorded 16 and 10 digs.

"Our team is pretty much wrapped around Janet, she's our primary passer and hitter and it was a setback when we lost her," McDowell said after the game.  "When she went out of the lineup, we had to move some positions around and got out of our rhythm.  But I told the players that I thought they battled hard to the end and was proud of their perseverance.  Now, we will regroup and prepare for the UAA's next weekend."

Oct. 28

EMORY VOLLEYBALL POSTS THREE-GAME WIN AGAINST WEST GEORGIA

The No.12-ranked Emory University volleyball team notched its ninth straight victory early this afternoon with a three-game win over the University of West Georgia.  The Eagles boosted their overall record to 23-8 following a 30-20, 30-27, 30-25 decision over the Wolves who fell to 15-15.

Emory's offense was effective and finished the match with a 34.3 hitting percentage (54-17-108), the 15th match in the last 16 outings that it has hit 30 percent or better, while holding West Georgia to 19.1 percent (30-13-89).  The Eagles held a 42-34 edge in digs and a 5-3 margin in total blocks.

Junior Janet Bunning (Washington D.C.) was a one-person wrecking crew, leading Emory with 19 kills, her third-highest total of the season, and finishing the contest with a 58.6 attack percentage (19-2-29).  Freshmen Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) and Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) each chipped in 11 kills. 

The Eagles, the owners of a 15-3 home mark in 2006, will close out the home portion of the regular season tonight at 7:00 p.m. when it battles No. 1-ranked Juniata.

Oct. 26

NO. 12-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL CLOSES OUT REGULAR SEASON

MATCH FACTS - The No. 12-ranked Emory volleyball team closes out the regular-season portion of its schedule on Saturday (Oct. 28) when it hosts a pair of matches.  The Eagles welcome the University of West Georgia and No. 1-ranked Juniata College to the Woodruff PE Center with the match against West Georgia slated for a 1:00 p.m., start and the Juniata bout a 7:00 p.m. start.  West Georgia and Juniata will play at 4:00 p.m.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 332-96.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Regan Adams (West Alabama, '2000) is in her second year as head coach of  West Georgia and took a school and career record of 36-32 into a Thursday match against Alabama-Huntsville.  Prior to her current post, Adams served a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Toledo.

Juniata is led by Larry Brock (Penn State, '71) who is in his 30th season with the Eagles and checks in with a glittering 1,102-172 won-lost slate.  Under his direction, Juniata is the only team to appear in all 25 NCAA Division III tournaments. In addition, his 2004 squad brought home the NCAA title.

THE RECORDS - Emory posts an overall record of 22-8 and closed out the regular-season portion of University Athletic Association play with a 6-1 mark, good for second place. The Eagles head into the weekend riding an eight-match win streak that includes a 3-0 win over Lee University on Wednesday night.  Emory stands 14-3 in home matches this season and has won its last seven outings on its home floor.

West Georgia stood 15-14 prior to its contest against Alabama-Huntsville. Entering Thursday's match, the Wolves had come out on the short end of their last two matches.

Juniata, a member of the Commonwealth Conference, invades Atlanta with an overall record of 31-1.  The team's only setback came at the hands of Princeton on Oct. 1.  The Eagles have captured their last 11 matches with just two of those going past three games.

SERIES RECORDS - Emory stands 7-4 against West Georgia, however the Wolves won last year's meeting on their home floor.  

Juniata holds a 6-1 edge in the all-time series against Emory.  Last year, Juniata came away with a 3-0 decision against Emory.

ROBELEN NAMED UAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK  - Sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) was selected as the UAA Player of the Week following her performance at the Emory National Invitational. The 5-foot-7 Robelen helped the squad to a 4-0 mark and a team title at the Invitational, the Eagles' final regular-season tournament. Robelen directed the Emory offense with a steady hand, doling out an average of 13.5 assists per game in the four matches including a total of 60, tying her career high in a four-game win over Illinois Wesleyan.  While Robelen's setting helped Emory hit 40 percent over the weekend, she was solid  defensively, registering 60 digs including a career-best tying 23 against Illinois Wesleyan. 

Robelen is 12th on Emory's seasonal chart in assists with 1,042, and is just one of seven players in school history to crack the 1,000-plus mark in a season. In addition, she stands 11th seasonally at Emory in digs with 328.

EMORY NOTES  -- In University Athletic Association statistics released Oct. 23, Emory stood second among UAA teams in hitting percentage (28.6%), assists (13.88 apg) and blocks (2.77 bpg) while holding down the No. 1 position in kills (15.69 kpg) ... Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) ranks prominently in the league listings in a number of categories including third in both kills (3.82 kpg) and blocks (1.28 bpg), while ranking fifth in hitting percentage ... Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) is seventh among league performers in attack percentage (34.6%) and 10th in kills (3.08 kpg) ... Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) is sixth on the UAA chart in kills per game (3.32 kpg) ...  Sophomores Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) and  Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) stands 9th and 11th, respectively, in hitting percentage with marks of 33.0 percent and 32.4 percent ... Junior Maggie Ramm holds down the No. 4 position on Emory's seasonal list in digs with 391, 30 shy of tying the mark of 421 held by Kelly McIntosh (2005) ... Bunning's 80 block assists rank her 11th on Emory's seasonal ladder.

WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY  NO. 12 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 12 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 600 points and all 24 first-place votes.  

Oct. 25

EMORY VOLLEYBALL TOPS LEE UNIVERSITY

(Oct. 25) -- The No.12-ranked Emory University volleyball team continued its winning ways with a three-game road win over Lee University Wednesday night.  The match had been re-scheduled from its original Oct. 3 date.  The Eagles claimed their eighth straight match with a 30-24, 30-27, 30-14 decision over the Lady Flames and raised their overall record to 22-8 in the process. 

The combination of freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) gave the Eagles the majority of their firepower throughout the evening.  Meyer posted a team-high 16 kills, her 15th outing of double-figure kills this season, while Bunning recorded 15 attacks, seven blocks and 18 digs. Freshman Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) chipped in nine kills. Other Emory performers who played a key role in the win included sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) with 44 assists and junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) with 17 digs.

Emory returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 28, when it plays host to West Georgia (1:00 pm) and No. 1-ranked Juniata (7:00 pm).

Oct. 25

NO. 12-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL VENTURES TO LEE UNIVERSITY

The No. 12-ranked Emory volleyball team takes to the road for a Wednesday night (Oct. 25) against Lee University.  Match time is set for 7:00 p.m., for the contest that was re-scheduled from Oct. 3.

Head Coach Jenny McDowell and her club take a seven-match win streak into the contest against the Lady Flames.  In their most recent outing, the Eagles swept through four opponents at the Emory National Invitational last weekend and raised their overall record to 21-8 in the process.

Lee University stands 21-5 overall and hosts Emory with a 10-match win streak. 

Earlier this season, Lee University claimed a 3-1 win over Emory in a match played at the Woodruff PE Center. 

Oct. 24

EMORY'S MADISON ROBELEN NAMED UAA VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Emory University sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Volleyball Player of the Week following her performance last weekend at the Emory National Invitational.  

The 5-foot-7 Robelen helped the squad to a 4-0 mark and a team title at the Invitational, the Eagles' final regular-season tournament. Robelen directed the Emory offense with a steady hand, doling out an average of 13.5 assists per game in the four matches including a total of 60, tying her career high in a four-game win over Illinois Wesleyan.  While Robelen's setting helped Emory hit 40 percent over the weekend, she was solid  defensively, registering 60 digs including a career-best tying 23 against Illinois Wesleyan. 
Robelen is 12th on Emory's seasonal chart in assists with 998, just two shy of becoming the seventh different player to crack the 1,000-plus mark in a season. In addition, she stands 11th seasonally at Emory in digs with 319. Emory, 21-8 on the year and ranked 14th nationally, hosts West Georgia (1:00 p.m.) and No. 1-ranked Juniata (7:00 p.m.) this Saturday (Oct. 28).

Oct. 21

EMORY VOLLEYBALL DEFEATS MUSKINGUM IN INVITATIONAL FINALE

The No.14-ranked Emory University volleyball team  closed out a perfect weekend Saturday afternoon with a three-game win over Muskingum College.  The Eagles captured all four matches of the Emory National Invitational, concluding it with a sound 30-13, 30-21, 30-14 victory over the Muskies.  The victory upped Emory's overall mark to 21-8 while Muskingum fell to 15-11.

Emory used both sound hitting and stellar defensive play in earning the win.  For the match, the Eagles hit 38.9 percent (55-11-13) while registering 86 digs.   

Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) closed out a fine weekend with a team-high 14 kills, a 50.0 hitting percentage (14-1-26) and 13 digs.  Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) totaled 11 attacks and sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio) rounded out the double-figure kill producers with 10.  Sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) ran the offense with precision and finished with 44 assists and made her presence felt defensively with 18 digs.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) once figured prominently in the defensive effort once again with 15 digs.

Bunning was named Invitational MVP after racking up 42 kills and 33 digs in the three matches she saw action in. Emory was well represented on the All-Invitational team with Robelen, Baird and Ramm earning spots.  Amanda Hawkins of Muskingum and Melissa Serritella and Jenna Passananti of Illinois Wesleyan rounded out the All-Invitational squad.  

Emory resumes action next Saturday, Oct. 28, when it hosts West Georgia University at 1:00 p.m., before meeting No. 1-ranked Juniata at 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 21

EMORY VOLLEYBALL RACES TO THREE-GAME WIN AGAINST VASSAR COLLEGE

No.14-ranked Emory University posted its third win in as many matches at the Emory National Invitational with a decisive three-game win over Vassar College this afternoon.  The Eagles raised their record to 20-8 following a 30-13, 30-19, 30-9 triumph over the Brewers who saw their record fall to 19-10.

Emory hit an outstanding 42.9 percent in the match (50-11-91) and finished with 11 total blocks.  Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) led the Eagles offensive attack with 13 and 11 kills, respectively, with Bunning contributing 10 digs and six block assists.  Three Emory performers registered double digits is digs.  In addition to Bunning's total, sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) came up with 17 digs, while doling out 32 assists, and junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) rounded out the trio with 12 digs.

Emory closes out Invitational play Saturday afternoon with a 4:30 pm match against Muskingum.

Oct. 20

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD POSTS TWO WINS IN OPENING DAY OF INVITATIONAL

The No.14-ranked Emory University volleyball team recorded two wins in the opening day of the Emory National Invitational.  The Eagles topped Ripon College in three games (30-10, 30-16, 30-28) before battling to a four-game decision over Illinois Wesleyan (30-18, 30-21, 27-30, 30-23).  The victories boosted Emory's overall record to 19-8.

In the Ripon match, Head Coach Jenny McDowell utilized her bench and saw 11 players record at least one kill.  Freshman Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) led the Eagles in that department with nine terminations while classmate Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) finished with eight attacks.  For the match, Emory finished with a 38.2 hitting percentage (52-8-225).   Defensively, junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) chalked up 19 digs to led the squad with freshman Lexi Hill (San Jose, CA) chipping in 10. 

In the Illinois Wesleyan match, Emory hit 41.5 percent (30-8-53) en route to taking the first two games.  The Titans then answered with a win in game three before the Eagles regrouped to close out the contest.  Emory saw four players finish with double figures in kills led by freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) with 20.  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) turned in another fine all-around match with 17 attacks and 10 digs.  Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) rounded out the quartet with 15 and 10 kills, respectively.  Sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) dished out 60 assists and totaled a team-leading 23 digs.

Emory closes out Invitational play on Saturday with matches against Vassar College (2:00 pm) and Muskingum (4:30 pm).

 2006 Emory National Invitational Scoreboard

Friday, Oct. 20
2:00 pm
Vassar def. Ripon, 3-2 (30-28, 25-30, 30-25, 27-30, 15-9)
Illinois Wesleyan def. Muskingum, 3-1 (22-30, 30-19, 30-28, 30-26)

4:30 pm
Emory def. Ripon, 3-0 (30-10, 30-16, 30-28)
Muskingum def. Vassar, 3-0 (30-24, 30-21, 30-24)

7:00 pm
Emory def. Illinois Wesleyan, 3-1 (30-18, 30-21, 27-30, 30-23)

Saturday, Oct. 21
11:30 am
Muskingum def. Ripon, 3-0 (30-16, 30-25, 30-20)
Illinois Wesleyan def. Vassar, 3-0 (30-22, 30-18, 30-21)

2:00 pm
Emory def. Vassar, 3-0 (30-13, 30-19, 30-9)
Illinois Wesleyan def. Ripon, 3-0 (30-23, 30-17, 30-17)

4:30 pm
Emory def. Muskingum, 3-0 (30-13, 30-21, 30-14)

Oct. 18

NO. 14-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL HOSTS WEEKEND INVITATIONAL

EMORY NATIONAL INVITATIONAL FACTS - The No. 14-ranked Emory volleyball team returns home this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 20-21) when it hosts the Emory National Invitational Tournament.  The Eagles battle Ripon College on Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m. before taking on Illinois Wesleyan at 7:00 p.m.   On Saturday, the Eagles meet Vassar at 2:00 p.m., and then close out the weekend with a contest against Muskingum at 4:30 p.m.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 327-96.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Kelly Witte (UW-Oshkosh, '90) is in her tenth year as head coach of Ripon College and posts a school record of 277-235.  In 2004, she was named the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year.

Illinois Wesleyan is led by Kim Nelson-Brown (Illinois State, '94) who is in her 11th season with the Titans. Heading into the weekend, she owns a school and career won-lost slate of 234-158. 

Paul Yee (Milwaukee School of Engineering, '06) was named interim coach at Vassar for the 2006 campaign.  Yee is serving in his current capacity as Jonathan Penn, who coached the Brewers the 10 previous campaigns, took a sabbatical leave.

 Dr. Elizabeth Zicha (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) has an all-time mark of 553-242 during her tenure at Muskigum College. 

THE RECORDS - Emory posts an overall record of 17-8 and closed out the regular-season portion of University Athletic Association play with a 6-1 mark, good for second place. The Eagles posted wins in three of four UAA matches last weekend at the Round Robin II, dropping a five-game decision to No. 2-ranked Washington University before rattling off victories against Chicago, Case Western and No. 14-ranked NYU.

Ripon meets Emory with an overall record of 12-13.  In their most recent outing, the Red Hawks posted three-game wins over Knox College and Monmouth College last Saturday. 

Illinois Wesleyan, a member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), heads into the weekend with an overall effort of 15-9.  The Titans played Augustana College on Tuesday and recorded a four-game win.

Vassar, a member of the Liberty League, invades Atlanta with an overall record of 18-7.  In their last performance, the Brewers registered a three-game decision against FDU (Florham) on Oct. 12.  

Muskingum brings an overall record of 12-8 into the weekend.  The Muskies bested Wilmington College, 3-0, on Tuesday evening.

SERIES RECORDS - This weekend's matches against Ripon College and Muskingum College will represent the initial meetings in volleyball.

The Eagles stand 1-0 against Illinois Wesleyan with that victory coming in 2002.

Emory is 1-0 all-time against Vassar.  Saturday's bout will mark the first time since 1994 that the schools have met in volleyball.

ON THE HORIZON - Following this weekend's play, the Eagles host a pair of contests on Saturday, Oct. 28.  Emory will battle West Georgia University in a 1:00 p.m. match before meeting No. 1-ranked Juniata in a 7:00 p.m. start.  

BUNNING NAMED UAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK  - Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) was selected as the UAA Player of the Week following her performance at the Round Robin II.  The 5-foot-10 Bunning helped the squad to a 3-1 mark in the league's final weekend of regular-season play.  In the 12 games she played in (Emory played a total of 15 games during the weekend), Bunning hit 58.8 percent (52-5-80) while coming up with 25 digs, 17 blocks (7-10) and three service aces.  In a five-game contest against No. 2-ranked Washington, Bunning recorded a career-high 25 kills, hit 60 percent in the match (25-1-40), and registered eight digs and eight blocks (1-7).  In the final match of the weekend against No. 14-ranked NYU, she racked up 13 kills, hit 52.3 percent (13-2-21), and chalked up eight digs in aiding the Eagles to a three-game win.  

EMORY NOTES  -- Emory stands second among UAA teams in hitting percentage (27.1%), assists (13.64 apg), kills (15.39 kpg) and blocks (2.81 bpg) ... Janet Bunning ranks prominently in the league listings in a number of categories including third in both kills (3.77 kpg) and blocks (1.28 bpg), while ranking eighth in hitting percentage (33.3%) and 11th in digs (3.39 dpg) ... Bunning has nine matches of double digits in both kills and digs ... Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) is seventh among league performers in attack percentage (33.6%) and 11th in kills (2.99 kpg) ... Meyer posted a total of 59 kills in the Round Robin II action including 18 against No. 14-ranked NYU which represented her second-highest total of the season ... Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) is eighth on the UAA chart in kills per game (3.20 kpg) ...  In matches against Chicago, Case Western and NYU, Buren hit 57.1 percent (32-4-49) and now has double-figure kills to her credit in 12 of the 21 matches she has played in ... Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) stands 10th in hitting percentage (31.6%) among UAA players

WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY  NO. 14 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 14 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 600 points and all 24 first-place votes.  

 Oct. 17

EMORY'S JANET BUNNING NAMED UAA VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Emory University junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Volleyball Player of the Week following her performance last weekend at the UAA Round Robin II.  

The 5-foot-10 Bunning helped the squad to a 3-1 mark in the league's final weekend of regular-season play.  In the 12 games she played in (Emory played a total of 15 games during the weekend), Bunning hit 58.8 percent (52-5-80) while coming up with 25 digs, 17 blocks (7-10) and three service aces.  In a five-game contest against No. 2-ranked Washington, Bunning recorded a career-high 25 kills, hit 60 percent in the match (25-1-40), and registered eight digs and eight blocks (1-7).  In the final match of the weekend against No. 14-ranked NYU, she racked up 13 kills, hit 52.3 percent (13-2-21), and chalked up eight digs in aiding the Eagles to a three-game win.  
Through Oct. 16, Bunning has recorded double figures in attacks in 13 of the 19 matches she has appeared in.  She stands first on the squad in kills per game (3.77 kpg) and blocks per game (1.28 bpg) and holds down the No. 2 spot in digs per game (3.39 dpg).  

The Eagles, 17-8 on the year, return to action this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 20-21) when they host the Emory National Invitational.  Emory will battle Ripon on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m., before taking on Illinois Wesleyan at 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 15

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD CAPTURES TWO MATCHES IN FINAL DAY OF UAA ROUND ROBIN II PLAY

The No.17-ranked Emory University volleyball team closed out the final day of UAA Round Robin II on a strong note by winning two matches.

The Eagles defeated Case Western in four games (30-21, 30-21, 30-32, 30-24) before topping No. 14-ranked New York University in three games (30-22, 30-23, 30-17).  The wins boost Emory's record 17-8 overall, 6-1 in UAA play.

In the Case Western match, freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) led a trio of double-figure kill producers with 18 while freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) totaled 14 attacks.  Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) chipped in 13 kills.  Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) dished out 58 assists and contributed 13 digs.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) posted 12 digs and doled out four service aces.

 Meyer turned in another solid effort in the NYU match, coming up with 18 terminations while junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) and Buren finished with 13 and 10 kills, respectively.  Robelen totaled 40 assists and aiding in the win was Ramm with 14 digs and a pair of service aces.

The Eagles return to action next Friday and Saturday (Oct. 20-21) when they host the Emory National Invitational.

 Oct. 14

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SNAGS THREE-GAME WIN AGAINST CHICAGO IN UAA ROUND ROBIN II PLAY  

The No. 17-ranked Emory volleyball team closed out the first day of UAA Round Robin II play with a three-game win over the University of Chicago.  The Eagles topped the Maroons, 30-18, 30-28, 30-23, raising their record to 15-8 overall, 4-1 in UAA action.

Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) led the Emory attack with 13 kills while freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) contributed 11 attacks.  Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) finished with eight kills.   

The Eagles close out Round Robin II action on Sunday with matches against Case Western and New York University.

Oct. 14

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD DROPS FIVE-GAME THRILLER TO NO. 2-RANKED WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN UAA ROUND ROBIN II OPENER

The No.17-ranked Emory University volleyball team staged a furious rally against No. 2-ranked Washington University Saturday morning but fell short as the Bears hung on to post a five-game win in UAA Round Robin II action in Chicago.  Washington University boosted its record to 20-1 (4-0 in UAA play) following a 30-28, 30-18, 28-30, 24-30, 15-13 win over the Eagles who slipped to 14-8 overall and 3-1 in UAA affairs.

Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) turned in an exceptional performance recording a career-high 25 kills (second career match of 20 or more kills) while finishing with a 60.0 attack percentage (25-1-40).  In addition, Bunning contributed eight digs.  Sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) hit a solid 44.0 percent on the strength of 13 kills (13-1-25) and freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) round out Emory's attack leaders with 13 terminations.   

Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) led a balanced list of dig leaders for Emory with 13.  Junior Ann Nicoletti (Chesterfield, MO) finished with nine defensive saves while sophomore Ellen Scott (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) chipped in eight digs.

Emory was to continue play in the Round Robin II Saturday at 2:00 pm (CDT) with a match against host Chicago.

 2006 UAA ROUND ROBIN II SCOREBOARD

Saturday, October 14
10:00 am
Washington University def. Emory, 3-2 (30-28, 30-18, 28-30, 24-30, 15-13)
New York University def. Carnegie Mellon, 3-1 (30-24, 25-30, 30-27, 30-26)
Case Western def. University of Rochester, 3-2 (30-28, 31-29, 27-30, 26-30, 15-4)

12:30 pm
Brandeis def. University of Chicago, 3-2 (35-33, 21-30, 22-30, 30-18, 15-12)
New York University def. University of Rochester, 3-0 (30-27, 30-21, 30-18)
Carnegie Mellon def. Case Western, 3-0 (30-26, 30-22, 30-27)

3:00 pm
Washington University def. Brandeis, 3-0 (30-25, 30-16, 30-14)
Emory def. University of Chicago, 3-0 (30-18, 30-28, 30-23)

Sunday, October 15
9:00 am
Emory def. Case Western, 3-1 (30-21, 30-21, 30-32, 30-24)
Washington University def. Carnegie Mellon, 3-0 (30-24, 30-15, 30-26)
New York University def. Brandeis, 3-1 (30-18, 26-30, 30-25, 30-17)

11:30 am
Emory def. New York University, 3-0 (30-22, 30-23, 30-17)
Washington University def. University of Rochester, 3-0 (30-14, 30-18, 30-23)
Carnegie Mellon def. University of Chicago, 3-0 (30-20, 30-21, 30-24)

2:00 pm
Case Western vs. Brandeis
University of Rochester vs. University of Chicago

Oct. 11

NO. 17-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD GEARS UP FOR UAA ROUND ROBIN II

ROUND ROBIN II FACTS - The Emory volleyball team winds up the regular-season portion of University Athletic Association play this Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 14-15) when it travels to Chicago to play in the UAA Round Robin II.  The Eagles tangle with No. 2-ranked Washington University at 10:00 am (CST) on Saturday before playing the University of Chicago at 3:00 pm.  On Sunday, Emory battles Case Western at 9:00 am before closing out with No. 14-ranked New York University at 11:30 am.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 324-95.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Rich Luenemann (Eastern Illinois, '72) is in his eighth year as head coach of Washington University and posts a school record of 262-35.  In 26 campaigns of college coaching, which includes an 18-year stint at St. Francis, Luenemann has a career record of 852-297.

The University of Chicago is led by Dorinda von Tersch (Dayton, '90) who is in her sixth season with the Maroons. Prior to her current post, she had head coaching assignments at Colgate (1998-2000) and Northeastern Illinois (1997).

Karen Farrell (Brandeis, '93) is in her second stint coaching the Spartans which covers five years.  Ferrell was the head coach from 1995 through 1998 where she compiled a school record of 88-69.  She returned to the school in March following a seven-year stay as the head volleyball coach at Clark University.  She has a five-year record at Case of 97-84. 

 Ed Caesar (NYU, '93) is in his fifth campaign with the Violets.  He has enjoyed an extremely successful tenure there, manufacturing a 171-37 record heading into a Wednesday night contest against SUNY New Paltz.

THE RECORDS - Emory posts an overall record of 14-7 including a 3-0 mark in UAA contests. The Eagles dropped two of three matches at the Wittenberg Invitational last Friday and Saturday before recording a three-game win at Catholic University on Monday.

Washington University has steamrolled to a 19-1 overall mark (3-0 in UAA).  The Bears' only defeat of the season came at the hands of No. 1-ranked Juniata on Sept. 15.  Washington University heads into the weekend on an 11-match win streak.

Chicago starts play this weekend with an overall ledger of 4-20 including a 1-2 mark in UAA play. In their most recent outing, the Maroons dropped a 3-2 road decision to Lake Forest on Tuesday.

Case Western heads into the Round Robin II sporting a 9-15 record that includes a 0-3 effort in league affairs. 

NYU started the week with a 22-3 overall record and owned a 2-1 slate in UAA action with that loss coming to Washington University in Round Robin I action at Emory. The Violets were to play SUNY New Paltz on Wednesday.

ON THE HORIZON - Following the Round Robin II, the Eagles return home to host the Emory National Invitational, Oct. 20-21.

RAMM NAMED UAA LIBERO OF THE WEEK  - For the second straight week, Emory University junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Volleyball Libero of the Week following her performance at the Wittenberg Invitational.   The 5-foot-9 Ramm totaled 74 digs in three matches over the weekend. She totaled 22 digs in a four-game win against Elmhurst before registering a career-best 28 digs in a five-game setback against Wittenberg.  In the weekend finale against Capital, Ramm chalked 24 digs, her sixth match of 20 or more digs this season.

EMORY NOTES  -- After sitting out the Round Robin I the weekend of Sept. 29-30, freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) returned to the lineup at the Wittenberg Invitational and came up with 40 kills, including a team-high 16 terminations in the Capital match.  Buren followed that performance with a 12-kill afternoon against Catholic University.  Buren has 10 matches this year of 10 or more kills to her credit ... Freshman Alysee Meyer (Stockton, CA) continues her fine play, racking up 34 kills in the Wittenberg Invitational and 12 more attacks in the Catholic contest.  In addition, Meyer was credited with 11 total blocks (3-8), tying her with Alicia Moore (vs. Lee, 10/16/1995) and Moncia Robbins (vs. Ohio Northern, 10/30/2004) for third place on the school's single-match list.

WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY  NO. 12 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 17 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 600 points and all 24 first-place votes.   

Oct. 10

EMORY'S MAGGIE RAMM NAMED UAA VOLLEYBALL LIBERO OF THE WEEK

For the second straight week, Emory University junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Volleyball Libero of the Week following her performance at the Wittenberg Invitational.

The 5-foot-9 Ramm totaled 74 digs in three matches over the weekend. She totaled 22 digs in a four-game win against Elmhurst before registering a career-best 28 digs in a five-game setback against Wittenberg.  In the weekend finale against Capital, Ramm chalked 24 digs, her sixth match of 20 or more digs this season.

Emory volleyball, 14-7 overall and 3-0 in University Athletic Association Play, returns to action this Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 14-15) when it plays at the UAA Round Robin II in Chicago.

Oct. 9

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD CLOSES OUT ROAD TRIP WITH WIN AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY  

The No.12-ranked Emory University volleyball team snapped a two-match losing streak by claiming a 3-0 win on the road against Catholic University.  The Eagles raised their record to 14-7 following a 30-24, 30-26, 30-21 win over the Cardinals who fell to 13-14.

Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) turned in a solid offensive performance finishing with an outstanding 73.3 hitting percentage, registering 12 kills and just one error in 15 total attempts.   Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) finished with 12 terminations and a 64.7 hitting percent (12-1-17) while sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) chalked up nine kills.

Other statistical leaders included sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL)  with 55 assists and junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.) with 11 digs.

Emory's next action takes place this Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 14-15) when it competes at the University Athletic Association Round Robin II in Chicago.  The Eagles first opponent on Saturday will be Washington University starting at 10:00 a.m., CST.

Oct. 7

EMORY VOLLEYBALL DROPS MATCHES AGAINST WITTENBERG AND CAPITAL UNIVERSITY AT WITTENBERG INVITATIONAL

The No. 12-ranked Emory volleyball team dropped a pair of matches in its final day of action at the Wittenberg Invitational.  The Eagles dropped a five game decision to No. 14-ranked host Wittenberg (30-28, 30-28, 21-30, 31-33, 15-17) before coming out on the short end of a three-game verdict to Capital University (25-30, 32-34, 25-30).  The setbacks dropped Emory's overall record to 13-7.

Freshman Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) led a balanced Emory offensive attack in the Wittenberg contest with 12 kills.  Freshmen Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) and Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) each totaled 11 attacks with Meyer recording 11 total blocks (3-8).  Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) rounded out the double-figure attackers with 10 terminations.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) posted a career-high 28 digs and was complemented in that category by sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) with 23 digs.

Against Capital University, Buren led Emory with 16 kills while Meyer picked up nine.  Ramm again came up with a fine defensive effort with 24 digs while Robelen dished out 35 assists.

The Eagles return to action on Monday (Oct. 9) when they play at Catholic University starting at 4:00 p.m.

Oct. 6

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD TOPS ELMHURST COLLEGE IN OPENER OF WITTENBERG INVITATIONAL

The No.12-ranked Emory University volleyball team got off on the right foot in its opening game of the Wittenberg Invitational by defeating Elmhurst College in four games.  The Eagles raised their record to 13-5 following a 30-27, 30-28, 28-30, 30-28 decision over the Blue Jays who slipped to 11-11. 

Leading the offensive attack for Emory was freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) with 14 kills while freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) posted 13 attacks.  Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Anotnio, TX) chipped in nine kills.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL), who was named the University Athletic Association Libero of the Week, continued her stellar defensive play with 22 digs while sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) registered 13 digs.

Emory will play two matches on Saturday -- against host Wittenberg at 11:00 a.m. and against Capital University at 2:00 p.m.

Oct. 4
NO. 12-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL TO PLAY AT WITTENBERG INVITATIONAL

INVITATIONAL FACTS - After opening University Athletic Conference play on a successful note last weekend, the No. 12-ranked Emory University volleyball squad ventures to the state of Ohio this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 6-7) to take part in the Wittenberg Invitational.  Joining the Eagles will be Elmhurst College, Capital University and host Wittenberg.  Emory will play Elmhurst College on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and then take on Wittenberg (11:00 am) and Capital (2:00 pm) on Saturday.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 322-93.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Julie Hall is in her 13th year as head coach of Elmhurst College and posts a school and career record of 352-148.  She has directed the program to eight seasons of 30 or more wins.  

Wittenberg is led by Paco Labrador (Hiram, '95) who is in his fourth campaign with the Tigers.  He has enjoyed an extremely successful tenure there, recording a 114-20 record heading into the weekend.

Pam Briggs is in her 14th year at the helm at Captial and takes a school won-lost ledger of 291-163 into the weekend. 

SERIES RECORDS - Emory stands 1-0 all-time against the Blue Jays of Elmhurst College, claiming a 3-2 win at home in 2004.  

The Eagles stand 4-2 all-time against Wittenberg.  The last match took place in 2004 when Emory posted a 3-2 triumph.

Emory and Capital have met just once and the Eagles came away with a 3-1 win during the early portion of the 2003 season.

THE RECORDS - Emory takes an overall record of 12-5 into this weekend's action.  The Eagles won all three matches of the UAA Round Robin I last weekend, defeating Carnegie Mellon (3-1), Brandeis (3-1) and Rochester (3-0).  The Eagles are ranked No. 12 nationally in this week's CSTV/AVCA Division III Poll.

Elmhurst College will meet Emory with an overall record of 11-10.  The Blue Jays have won eight of their last 10 meetings but dropped a 3-1 decision to Wheaton College on Tuesday.

Wittenberg, ranked No. 14 nationally, checks into the weekend with an overall won-lost slate of 17-5.  The Tigers saw a nine-match win streak come to an end last Saturday when they dropped a 3-2 verdict to Muskingum. 

Capital University has won its last five matches and heads into the weekend a 14-6 record.  Most recently, the Crusaders recorded a 3-0 win at home against Muskingum on Tuesday night.

ON THE HORIZON - Following the Wittenberg Invitational, the Eagles travel to Washington, D.C., to play Catholic University on Monday (Oct. 9).  

RAMM NAMED UAA LIBERO OF THE WEEK  - Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) was named UAA Libero of the Week following her performance at the Round Robin.  Ramm was a steadying defensive presence in helping Emory to three wins. She led the team in digs in all three matches, finishing with 58 in 11 games (5.3 dpg).  In the opening match against Carnegie Mellon, Ramm recorded 22 digs, tying her career best in that category, and then posted 20 digs in the Brandeis match.  In the final contest of the weekend against Rochester, Ramm totaled 16 digs in a three-game win and contributed five assists and a season-high four service aces.

EMORY NOTES  -- Freshman Alysee Meyer (Stockton, CA) stepped up in a big way over the weekend in helping the Eagles to three wins. The 6-foot Meyer led the squad in kills in all three matches including a career-best 19 vs. Carnegie Mellon, 14 against Brandeis and 13 against Rochester.  For the weekend, Meyer hit a keen 33.6 percent (46-12-101), totaled 11 digs and 10 total blocks (0-10).  In the final match of the weekend vs. Rochester, Meyer posted a 45.8 attack percentage (13-2-24), three digs and four blocks ... Meyer has five matches of 10 or more kills this season ... In UAA stats released on Monday, Emory holds down the No. 2 position in kills (15.1 kpg) and blocks (2.73 bpg) per game while ranking No. 3 in digs (18.1 dpg) ... Sophomore Ellen Scott (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) doled out 48 assists in the Brandeis match, her second-highest total of the season ... Emory recorded double digits in service aces in all three matches of the Round Robin, totaling 38 in the 11 games ... The Eagles have nine matches of 10 or more aces this year ... Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) registered 12 kills in the Brandies contest, tying her season high and marking her sixth outing this season of 10 or more in a match ... Freshman Hallie Freeborg (Kirkwood, MO) gave Emory a boost in the Rochester match, picking up a season-best seven kills while hitting 41.2 percent (7-0-17) ... Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) dished out a season-high 52 assists in the Carnegie Mellon match ... Freshman Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) chalked up 16 blocks  (1-15) over the weekend and stands No. 6 among UAA performers in blocks per game (1.08 bpg)
 
WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY  NO. 12 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 12 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 600 points and all 24 first-place votes. 

 Oct. 3

EMORY'S MAGGIE RAMM NAMED UAA VOLLEYBALL LIBERO OF THE WEEK

Emory University junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Volleyball Libero of the Week following her performance last weekend at the UAA Round Robin I which was held at Emory.

The 5-foot-9 defensive specialist was a steadying influence in helping No. 13-ranked Emory to three wins in the opening weekend of conference play.  Ramm led Emory in digs in all three matches and finished the weekend with 58 in 11 games (5.3 dpg).  In the opening match of the Round Robin against Carnegie Mellon, Ramm recorded 22 digs, tying her career best, and then posted 20 digs in the Brandeis match.  In the final contest of the weekend against Rochester, Ramm totaled 16 digs in a three-game win and contributed five assists and a season-high four service aces.

Ramm leads the team and holds down the No. 5 position among UAA players in digs (3.84 dpg).  She has recorded 10 or more digs in 10 of the 13 matches she has played in.

Emory volleyball, 12-5 overall, returns to action this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 6-7) when it plays at the Wittenberg Invitational.

Oct. 2

EMORY vs. LEE  UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL MATCH RESCHEDULED

The Emory University volleyball team's Tuesday (Oct. 3) match at Lee University has been rescheduled.  The Eagles will now meet the Lady Flames on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Head Coach Jenny McDowell and her squad get back into action on Friday (Oct. 6) afternoon when the Eagles battle Elmhurst College at the Wittenberg National Invitational.

Sept. 30

EMORY VOLLEYBALL DEFEATS ROCHESTER -- GOES 3-0 IN UAA ROUND-ROBIN ACTION

The No.13-ranked Emory University volleyball team closed out a successful University Athletic Association Round Robin Saturday afternoon with a three-game win over the University of Rochester.  The Eagles boosted their record to 12-5 overall, 3-0 in the UAA, following a 30-20, 30-14, 30-27 win over the Yellowjackets who slipped to 14-5 overall, 1-2 in the UAA.

Emory combined efficient hitting along with solid defensive play in securing the win.  The Eagles hit 40 percent in the match (56-12-110) while limiting Rochester to 16.4 percent (33-15-110).  Emory enjoyed a hefty 54-36 advantage in digs while posting a 9-1 margin in blocks.

Emory hit a combined 48.5 percent (41-7-70) in the first two games en route to a 2-0 match lead.  In the third game, the Eagles hit 25.0 percent while Rochester managed a 12.8 percent (15-9-47) mark.

Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) paced the team with 13 kills and finished with a 45.8 attack percentage (13-2-24).  Classmate Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) came through with 12 kills and rounded out the double-digit kill producers for Emory.  Sophomore Maggie Baird made the most of her offensive opportunities, hitting 50 percent (9-2-14), and contributed a pair of service aces and three block assists. Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) recorded a match-high 17 digs and dished out four aces while sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) finished with 42 assists and nine digs.

"Our goal this weekend was to go 3-0 in the round robin so that when we go to Chicago in a couple of weeks for the second round robin we could be in a position to do some good things," Emory head coach Jenny McDowell said after the match.  "Maybe at times it didn't look pretty in getting to 3-0 but the players found a way to win and we will take it."

Emory's next action takes place on Tuesday evening (Oct. 3) when it plays at Lee University.

Sept. 30

EMORY VOLLEYBALL TOPS BRANDEIS

The No.13-ranked Emory University volleyball team notched its second University Athletic Association win this morning as it topped Brandeis University in four games.  The Eagles raised their overall record to 11-5, 2-0 in the UAA,  following a 30-19, 30-18, 32-34, 30-19 decision over the Judges in a match played at the Woodruff PE Center on the Emory campus.

Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX)  led Emory's offensive effort with 14 and 12 kills, respectively.  Baird recorded a fine 43.5 hitting percentage (12-2-23) while contributing five block assists.  Freshman Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) registered nine attacks and finished the contest with a 46.2 hitting percentage (9-3-13) while chipping in four (1-3) blocks.

For the match, Emory hit 30.6 percent (60-19-134), the sixth match of the campaign of hitting 30.0 percent or better, while holding Brandies to just 9.6 percent (48-34-146). The Eagles held a 56-48 edge in digs and a 12-8 edge in service aces with freshman Lexi Hill (San Jose, CA) accounting for four of those. Emory closes out play in the UAA Round Robin I at 2:00 pm when it faces Rochester.

Sept. 29

EMORY VOLLEYBALL OPENS UAA PLAY WITH WIN

The No.13-ranked Emory University volleyball team opened the University Athletic Conference portion of its schedule this afternoon with a four-game win over Carnegie Mellon in the opening day of the league's Round Robin I action.  The Eagles raised their overall record to 10-5 following a hard-fought 27-30, 31-29, 30-26, 30-26 decision over the Tartans who slipped to 7-9 overall.

After dropping the first game of the match, Emory was staring at a 28-24 deficit in game two before storming back with a determined rally that saw it outscored the visitors by a 7-1 margin en route to the win and tying the match in the process.  Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) spearheaded the rally with three kills in the spurt while freshman Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) and sophomore Katie Downs (Roswell, GA) each contributed key points.

For the match, Meyer registered a season-best 19 kills while chipping in seven digs.  Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) finished with 11 attacks and provided the Eagles with a presence at the next with six blocks (1-5).  Mills rounded out contingent of Emory performers to finish with double digits in terminations with 10.  Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) paced the team with 22 digs, and sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) dished out 52 assists while notching 16 digs.

"It wasn't pretty and we had to scrap all afternoon," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said following the match.  "Carnegie Mellon was battling and it kept a lot of balls off the floor.  We juggled the lineup and the team did a good job of staying patient until we got things working. 

"I thought that Alysse Meyer got some big kills for us while Maggie Ramm did a great job passing.  Maggie Baird gave us some key blocks after being moved to the middle from the right side.  Carnegie Mellon is a good club and it was a total team effort for us today."

The UAA Round Robin I continues on Saturday at the Woodruff PE Center on the Emory campus with three matches being played at 9:00 a.m.; Emory takes on Brandeis, Washington University battles Chicago and Carnegie Mellon meets Rochester. More matches are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., and 2:00 p.m.

 2006 UAA Round Robin Scoreboard

Friday, Sept. 29

12:30 pm          Rochester def.  Brandeis, 3-2 (22-30, 22-30, 30-28, 30-26, 16-14)
                        Washington University def. Case, 3-0 (30-25, 30-13, 30-13)

3:00 pm            Emory 3, Carnegie Mellon 1 (27-30, 31-29, 30-26, 30-26)
                        NYU 3, Chicago 1 (30-26, 30-23, 26-30, 30-24)

Saturday, Sept. 30

9:00 am            Washington Univ. def. Chicago, 3-0 (30-11, 30-19, 30-17)
                        Emory def. Brandeis, 3-1 (30-11, 30-18, 32-34, 30-19)
                        Carnegie Mellon def. Rochester, 3-2 (28-30, 28-30, 30-11, 30-23, 15-11)

11:30 am          Washington Univ. def. NYU, 3-2 (27-30, 30-18, 17-30, 30-17, 15-10)
                        Chicago def. Case, 3-1 (30-21, 30-27, 27-30, 30-21)
                        Carnegie Mellon def. Brandeis (30-21, 30-22, 30-16)

2:00 pm            NYU def. Case, 3-0 (30-21, 30-19, 30-22)
                        Emory def. Rochester, 3-0 (30-20, 30-14, 30-27)

Sept. 27

NO. 13-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL TO HOST UAA ROUND ROBIN

UAA ROUND ROBIN FACTS - After winning three of four matches last weekend at its Emory Tournament, the Eagles' volleyball team begins the conference portion of their schedule this Friday and Saturday (Sept. 29-30) when they host the University Athletic Conference Round Robin I.  Action gets underway on Friday at 12:30 p.m. with two matches, Rochester vs. Brandeis and Washington University vs. Case Western.   At 3:00 p.m., Emory will play Carnegie Mellon while NYU takes on Chicago.   The Round Robin continues on Saturday with matches being played at 9:00 a.m., 11:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.
 
THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 319-93.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Kim Kelly (Gettysburg, '92) is in his second year as head coach of Carnegie Mellon and starts the weekend with a school record of 29-26.  In 10 seasons as a head coach, which includes an eight-year stint at Gettysburg College, Kelly has a career record of 279-108.    

Brandeis is led by Michelle Kim (Binghamton, '96) who is in her third campaign with the Judges.  Prior to her current post, she served as an assistant coach at Brandeis from 1999 through 2004.

Linda Downey (Ithaca College, '75) is in her fourth year at the helm at Rochester and takes a school won-lost ledger of 88-47 into the weekend.  In each of her first three seasons, she has guided the program to 20-plus wins.  The 2006 campaign marks Downey's eighth year as a head coach.

SERIES RECORDS - Emory stands 18-10 all-time against the Tartans of Carnegie Mellon. The Eagles have won the last eight meetings between the two schools including a pair of 3-0 decisions last year.

The Eagles stand 23-6 all-time against Brandeis including two 3-0 wins last year.

The all-time series between Emory and Rochester is deadlocked at 14-14.  Last year, the Eagles came away with a pair of 3-0 decisions against the Yellow Jackets.

THE RECORDS - Emory takes an overall record of 9-5 into this weekend's action.  The Eagles won their first three matches of the Emory Tournament last weekend, defeating Rockford College (3-1), Washington & Lee (3-0) and No. 16 Mount Saint Joseph (3-2), before coming out on the short end of a 3-0 outcome against No. 22-ranked Carthage.  The Eagles are ranked No. 13 nationally in this week's CSTV/AVCA Division III Poll.

Carnegie Mellon comes to town with an overall record of 7-8.  In its most recent outing, the Tartans won three of four matches last weekend at the Carnegie Mellon Crossover Tournament, defeating Gettysburg (3-1), Nazareth (3-0) and RIT (3-0) before dropping a 3-0 verdict to Stevens Institute. 

Brandeis will start the weekend with an overall won-lost slate of 6-4.  The Judges participated in the Amherst Invitational last weekend and split four matches.   

Rochester has won its last four matches and heads into the Round Robin I with a 13-3 record.  Most recently, the Yellow Jackets recorded a five-game win on the road against Ithaca on Tuesday night.

ON THE HORIZON - Following the UAA Round Robin I, the Eagles travel to Lee University (TN) on Tuesday, October 3. 

EMORY NOTES -  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) and sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) were named to the Emory All-Tournament Team for their play last weekend ... Over the course of the four matches (13 games), Bunning recorded a team-leading 51 kills, a 31.7 hitting percentage (51-17-107), a team-best 57 digs and 14 blocks (0-14).   She paced the team in kills and digs against Washington & Lee (16/16), in kills against No. 16-ranked Mount Saint Joseph (15) and in kills against No. 22-ranked Carthage (13). She hit a blistering 58.3 percent (16-2-24) against Washington & Lee, the third-best effort by an Emory player this season ... Robelen averaged 12.2 assists per game and registered a season-high 49 assists in the match against Mount Saint Joseph ... In addition to her assists total, she contributed 51 digs including 17 in the Mount St. Joseph contest that tied her second-highest effort of the campaign ... Emory has six matches of 10 or more service aces this year ... The Eagles dished out 11 aces against Washington & Lee and 12 against Mount St. Joseph ... The five-game match against Mount St. Joseph marked the Eagles' third five-gamer of the year and they stand 2-1 in such contests, 6-2 since the 2004 season ... Emory's 38.5 hitting percentage (51-14-96) in the Washington & Lee match represented the squad's second-highest effort in that category this year ... Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) gave the Eagles a boost off the bench last weekend, averaging 3.0 kills per game in the five games she saw action last weekend ... Freshman Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) established a season high of nine kills in the Rockford College match ... In UAA stats released at the start of the week, Emory stood No. 2 in kills (14.8 kpg) and blocks per game (2.70 bpg) and was third in digs per game (18.3 dpg).

WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY  NO. 13 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 13 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 600 points and all 24 first-place votes.   

Sept. 23, 2006

EMORY VOLLEYBALL DROPS MATCH TO CARTHAGE COLLEGE

The No.10-ranked Emory University volleyball team saw its five match win streak come to an end Saturday afternoon as it came out on the short end of a match against Carthage College in the championship game of the Emory Classic.  The Lady Reds, ranked No. 22 nationally, upped their record to 17-2 following a 30-27, 30-23, 30-20 win over Emory who saw its record fall to 9-5.

Carthage used solid defensive play in earning the win over the Eagles, holding the host team to a paltry 12.0 attack percentage.  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.) was the lone Emory player to record double figures in attacks with 13, her 11th performance of double digits in that category this year.  Bunning also totaled 11 digs, her 10th outing of the campaign with 10 or more and her ninth double-double.   Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) finished with 37 assists and a team-leading 14 digs.

"We did not come out focused and let a great opportunity slip through our hands," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said.  "Carthage stayed aggressive the whole match and we did not.  But we are going to learn from this and hopefully the next time we are in the same situation, we'll be able to go the whole weekend."

Bunning and Robelen were Emory's representatives on the all-tournament team. Bunning finished with 51 attacks, 57 digs and 14 total blocks (0-14) in the 13 games she played over the weekend. Robelen doled out 172 assists and recorded 51 digs in 14 games.

Sept. 23, 2006

EMORY VOLLEYBALL EDGES MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH

The Emory University and Mount Saint Joseph volleyball teams waged a spirited contest befitting two top-20 programs Saturday afternoon at the Emory Tournament with the Eagles prevailing in five intense games.  Emory, ranked No. 10 in the nation, saw its record increase to 9-4 on the year following a 30-21, 30-28, 16-30, 26-30, 15-9 decision over the No. 16 Lions who slipped to 7-4.

Emory finished with four players recording double figures in attacks led by junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C) who posted 15 kills as well as chipping in 16 digs.  The 5-foot-10 Bunning also contributed five block assists.  Freshman Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) was second with 12 kills while tying junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) and sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) with 17 digs.  Rounding out the key offensive contributors were freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) and sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) with 11 and 10 attacks, respectively.

The Eagles will close out play later on today at 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 22, 2006

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD TOPS WASHINGTON AND LEE

The Emory University volleyball team closed out the first day of the Emory Tournament in solid fashion Friday evening at the Woodruff PE Center, defeating Washington & Lee in three games.  The Eagles boosted their record to 8-4 following a 30-15, 33-31, 30-18 win over the Generals who slipped to 8-2.  The win marked Emory's sixth straight win at home.

The Eagles used solid defensive play along with some precise hitting in earning the win.  For the match Emory hit a fine 38.5 percent (51-14-96) while recording 66 digs. 

In game one, the home team blitzed Washington & Lee, registering a 44.1 attack percentage (19-4-34) while displaying quick play on the defensive end of the floor that did not allow the Generals a chance to generate any momentum.

The second game of the match was a different story as the Eagles had to fight off four game points before coming away with the win.  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.) had six of her team-high 16 kills in that game while posting four digs.

The final game saw freshman Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) come up with some timely blocks and attacks that helped Emory close out the match.  Westfall totaled three kills late in the game and chipped in a pair of block assists.

In addition to Bunning's 16 terminations, freshmen Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) and Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) each posted double figures in that category with 11 and 10, respectively.  Bunning finished with a team-best 16 digs with Mills close behind her with 14.  Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) dished out 41 assists.

"I thought that our blockers did a fine job lining up correctly and getting their hands on some balls that enabled us to dig them," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said. "I thought that Maggie Ramm, Katie Downs and Janet Bunning all did a great job passing as well. It was a good win."

Emory will meet Mount Saint Joseph on Saturday (Sept.23) starting at 11:30 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 22

EMORY VOLLEYBALL TOPS ROCKFORD COLLEGE

The Emory University volleyball team got off to a good start in its first game of the Emory Tournament, defeating Rockford College in three games.  The Eagles boosted their record to 7-4 following a 30-19, 30-14, 30-24 win over the Regents who fell to 2-9.

Freshman Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) led Emory's offensive attack with 14 kills while contributing seven digs and three block assists.  Freshman Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) was second on the club with nine attacks while sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) registered eight kills and five total blocks (3-2).

For the match, the Eagles hit 32.5 percent (58-19-120) and finished with 59 digs and 15 (3-12) total blocks.

Emory was to close out play Friday evening with a 7:00 p.m. match against Washington & Lee.

 EMORY TOURNAMENT SCOREBOARD & ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Friday, Sept. 22

11:30 am         Carthage 3, Mount St. Joseph 1 (30-15, 25-30, 30-26, 30-20)

2:00 pm           Washington & Lee 3, Rockford 0 (30-22, 30-24, 30-23)

                        Carthage 3, Randolph-Macon 1 (30-22, 26-30, 30-22, 30-19)

4:30 pm            Emory 3, Rockford 0 (30-19, 30-14, 30-24)

                        Mount Saint Joseph 3, Randolph-Macon 1 (23-30, 33-31, 31-29, 30-26)

7:00 pm            Emory 3, Washington & Lee 0 (30-15, 33-31, 30-18)

Saturday, Sept. 23

11:30 am          Match 1- Emory 3, Mount Saint Joseph 2 (30-21, 30-28, 16-30, 26-30, 15-9)

                        Match 2 - Randolph-Macon 3, Rockford 2 (28-30, 30-10, 28-30, 30-23, 15-10)

2:00 pm            Match 3 - Carthage 3, Washington & Lee 0 (30-17, 30-26, 30-18)

Match 4 - Mt. Saint Joseph 3, Rockford 1 (30-24, 30-26, 29-31, 30-18)

4:30 pm            Match 5 - Randolph-Macon 3, Washington & Lee 0 (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)

Match 6 - Carthage 3, Emory 0 (30-27, 30-23, 30-20)

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Sarah Carlino (Carthage)
Tiffany Thorsell (Carthage)
Jori Simmons (Carthage)
Claire Alfers (Mount Saint Joseph)
Katie Feldkamp (Mount Saint Joseph)
Janet Bunning (Emory)
Madison Robelen (Emory)

MVP -- Sarah Carlino

 Sept. 20, 2006

NO. 10-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL TEAM RETURNS HOME TO HOST TOURNAMENT  

TOURNAMENT FACTS - After coming away with a split of four matches in their first road endeavor of the season last weekend, the Eagles of Head Coach Jenny McDowell return home this Friday and Saturday (Sept. 22-23) to host the Emory Tournament.  Included in the field are Rockford College, Washington & Lee University, Carthage College, Randolph-Macon College and the College of Mount St. Joseph. 

Emory's opening match takes place on Friday at 4:30 p.m. when it meets Rockford.  Following that test, the Eagles close out play at 7:00 p.m. when they square off against Washington & Lee.  On Saturday, matches begin at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 316-92.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Rodney Pritchett (Illinois, '90) is in his second year as head coach of Rockford College.   

Washington & Lee University is led by Bryan Snyder (Washington and Lee, '95) who is in his seventh campaign with the Generals.  Snyder enters the weekend with a school mark of 184-41 and a nine-career ledger of 225-66.

Leanne Ulmer (California-Riverside, '79) is in her sixth year at the helm at Carthage College and takes a school and career won-lost ledger of 145-54 into the weekend.

Randolph-Macon College is under the direction of fifth-year head coach Bill Rogers (Virginia Commonwealth, '90), who posted a school record of 97-42 prior to a Wednesday match against Bridgewater College.

SERIES RECORDS - Friday's match against Rockford will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools.  

The Eagles stand 13-1 all-time against Washington and Lee.  Emory captured a pair of matches against the Generals last year.

Emory is 3-0 all-time against Randolph-Macon College with the last meetings taking place in 2004.

Eagles show an all-time record of 3-0 against Mount Saint Joseph.  In the event the teams meet over the weekend, it will represent the first match-up between the two since 2000.

An Emory-Carthage College showdown would mark the first time the programs have met on the volleyball court.

THE RECORDS - Emory takes a record of 6-4 into this weekend's action.  The Eagles came out on the short end of their first two matches last weekend in the Southwestern University Invitational, dropping 3-1 decisions to Houston Baptist and Southwestern, before bouncing back to register 3-1 victories against East Texas Baptist University and No. 15-ranked Austin College.

Rockford, a member of the Northern Athletics Conference, took a 1-7 record into a Wednesday (Sept. 20) night contest against Wisconsin Lutheran.  Three of the Regents' setbacks have been five-game affairs.   

Washington and Lee, an Old Dominion Athletic Conference member, has won its last two matches and will enter the Emory Tournament with a 7-1 record.  In the Generals last meeting, they defeated Guilford College, 3-0.

Carthage College, ranked No. 22 nationally, invades Emory with a 13-1 record.  The Lady Reds, a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, start the weekend with a four-match win streak including a 3-1 triumph over North Central on Tuesday.

Mount Saint Joseph, ranked No. 16 nationally, enters the weekend with a 6-2 slate.  The Lions, an Old Dominion Athletic Conference member, will be seeing their first action since the weekend of Sept. 8-9 when they won three of four matches in the Mount Saint Joseph Invitational.  

ON THE HORIZON - Following the Emory Tournament, the Eagles host the UAA Round Robin I, Sept. 29-30, at the Woodruff PE Center.  Matches get underway at 12:30 on the 29th and continue at 3:00 p.m. that day.  On the 30th, matches are slated for 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:00 p.m.  

EMORY NOTES -  Sophomore middle Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) was named UAA Co-Player of the Week following her effort at the Southwestern Invitational.. In the three matches she appeared in, Huffman recorded 45 kills and 16 total blocks ... Huffman's 19 attacks against Southwestern University represented a career high ... Huffman has double-figure kills to her credit in six of the eight matches she has played in and held down the No. 7 position among UAA players at the start of the week with a 32.4 hitting percentage ...  Sophomore setter Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) earned All-Southwestern Invitational honors after dishing out 154 assists and chalking up 36 digs over the course of 16 games ...  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) leads the squad with a 3.56 kills per game average and in blocks with a 1.39 per-game effort, good for the No. 3 spot among the conference's performers ... Freshman Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) saw her first action of the year over the weekend and came through with some fine performances ...  Mills tied for the team lead in attacks with 15 against Houston Baptist and totaled 14 against East Texas Baptist University ... In UAA statistics released on Sept. 17, Emory holds down the No. 2 spot with a 2.75 blocks per-game average ... Freshman Lexi Hill (San Jose, CA) tied for the team lead with 20 digs against Southwestern.

COURTNEY ROSE TO MISS 2006 SEASON - Emory University's Courtney Rose, the 2005 NCAA Division III Player of the Year, will sit out this season following a knee injury she suffered in spring. 

WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY  NO. 10 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 10 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 600 points and all 24 first-place votes.   

 Sept. 19

EMORY'S DANI HUFFMAN NAMED UAA VOLLEYBALL CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Emory University sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Volleyball Co-Player of the Week following her performance last weekend at the Southwestern Invitational.  Huffman shares the honor with Caitlin Grundman of NYU.

The 5-foot-11 middle blocker helped the Eagles to wins in two of the three matches she played in over the weekend.  In outings against Southwestern University, East Texas Baptist University and No. 15 Austin College, she recorded 47 kills, an attack percentage of 42.6 percent (47-9-89) and 16 total blocks (6-10).  Against Southwestern University, she posted a career-best 19 kills while chipping in eight blocks (3-5).  In the final match vs. Austin College, she hit a blazing 54.2 percent (13-0-24). 

So far this year, Huffman has recorded double figures in attacks in six of the eight matches she has appeared in.  She stands first on the squad with a 32.4 attack percentage (94-28-204) and is second on the squad with a 3.13 kills per game mark.

The Eagles, 6-4 on the year, return to action this Friday and Saturday (Sept. 22-23) when they host the Emory Tournament.  Emory will battle Rockford College on Friday starting at 4:30 p.m., before taking on Washington & Lee at 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 16

No. 5 EMORY VOLLEYBALL CLOSES OUT SOUTHWESTERN INVITATIONAL WITH FOUR-GAME TRIUMPH OVER AUSTIN COLLEGE

The No. 5-ranked Emory volleyball team came up with an inspired outing in its final match at the Southwestern Invitational and defeated No. 15 Austin College in four games.  The Eagles saw their record improve to 6-4 after a 23-30, 30-20, 30-27, 30-22 win against the previously undefeated Kangaroos who now stand 13-1. 

Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.) and sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) tied for the team high with 13 kills with Bunning also recording 14 digs which tied for team honors with sophomore Katie Downs (Roswell, GA).  Bunning rounded out her fine all-around play with nine blocks (3-6) while sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) contributed three (0-3). Sophomore Madison Robelen (Boca Raton, FL) doled out 48 assists in the win.

The Eagles return to action next Friday (Sept. 22) when it hosts the first day of the Emory Tournament.  Head Coach Jenny McDowell and her club will square off against Rockford College at 4:30 p.m. before meeting Washington and Lee at 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 16

EMORY VOLLEYBALL POSTS FOUR-GAME VICTORY OVER EAST TEXAS BAPTIST AT SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY INVITATIONAL

After a pair of losses on the opening day of play at the Southwestern University Invitational on Friday, the No. 5-ranked Emory volleyball got back on the winning track Saturday afternoon with a come-from-behind four-game win over East Texas Baptist University.  The Eagles boosted their record to 5-4 following a 19-30, 32-30, 30-18, 30-18 decision over the Tigers who saw their record fall to 5-8. 

Emory used a well-balanced attack in securing the win.  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, D.C.) finished the match with team highs in both attacks with 16 and blocks with seven (2-5).  Freshman Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) continued her impressive play with 14 kills while sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) registered 13 terminations.  Huffman, along with sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX), each contributed a solid presence at the net with six blocks apiece.  
 
"It was a great comeback for us," Head Coach Jenny McDowell said.  "After losing the first game, we were down, 28-21, in the second before rallying to pull that out.  I thought that the players showed a lot of heart."

Emory will close out play with a 5:00 pm Friday match against No. 15-ranked and undefeated (13-0) Austin College.

Sept. 15

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD DROPS 4-GAME DECISION TO HOUSTON BAPTIST IN SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY INVITE OPENER

The No. 5-ranked Emory University volleyball team dropped a four-game decision to Houston Baptist in its opening game of the Southwestern University Invitational held in Georgetown, Tex.  The Huskies raised their record to 5-4 following a 30-24, 22-30, 30-21, 32-30 triumph over the Eagles who saw their record slip to 4-3.

Emory head coach Jenny McDowell opted to rest her starters and the Eagles lineup saw a number of new faces in it.  Freshmen Rachel Mills (Elizabethtown, KY) and Lexi Hill (San Jose, CA) saw their most extensive action of the young season and responded by sharing for team honors in attacks with 15.  Sophomore Katie Downs (Roswell, GA) came through with a solid defensive effort with 21 digs while Mills contributed 12. Sophomore Lulu Kaiali (Woodstock, GA) contributed four of the team's 12 service aces which marked the third time this year that the Eagles had registered double figures in that category.

Emory was to close out its first day of action with a 7:00 pm Friday match against host Southwestern University.

Sept. 14

NO. 5-RANKED EMORY VOLLEYBALL TEAM TO COMPETE AT SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY INVITATIONAL  

INVITATIONAL FACTS - The Emory University volleyball team takes to the road for the first time this season when it ventures to Georgetown, Tex., to take part in the Southwestern University Invitational.  The Eagles battle Houston Baptist (11:00 am) and host Southwestern University (7:00 pm) on Friday before meeting East Texas Baptist University and Austin College on Saturday. 

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 314-90.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Kaddie Platt (Houston Baptist, '94) is in her 11th year as head coach of Houston Baptist's program and has a school and career record of 325-96.

Southwestern University is led by Hannah Long who is in her third campaign with the Pirates.  Long enters the weekend with a school and career won-lost showing of 71-15.

Lyndsay Mashe (East Texas Baptist University, '05) is in her first year at the helm at East Texas Baptist University.  Mashe played two years at ETBU and earned All-American Southwest Conference honors. 

Austin College is under the direction of 10th-year head coach Ed Garza (Ouachita Baptist, '86), who takes a school record of 228-93 into this weekend's action.

SERIES RECORDS - Friday's match against Houston Baptist will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools. 

The Eagles stand 10-3 all-time against Southwestern University.  The Eagles captured three matches against the Pirates last year including a 3-1 triumph in the NCAA Tournament. 

Emory is 2-0 all-time against East Texas Baptist with the last meeting taking place in 2003.

Eagles show an all-time record of 3-0 against Austin College.  The last meeting occurred in the 2005 NCAA Tournament when Emory recorded a 3-0 decision over the Kangaroos.

THE RECORDS - Emory takes a record of 4-2 into this weekend's action.  After suffering two losses in their opening weekend, the Eagles bounced back in fine form this past Friday Saturday, recording wins in four matches en route to a championship effort in the Emory Classic.  In its first two matches, Emory topped Maryville (3-0) and Texas Lutheran (3-1) before closing out the Classic with a five-game marathon win over Bethel and a 3-0 verdict against Hiram. 

Houston Baptist, a member of the Red River Athletic Conference, meets Emory with a 4-4 record.  The Huskies snapped a four-match losing streak on Tuesday (Sept. 12) with a 3-0 victory over Concordia University-Austin.

Southwestern University, a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference member, has gotten off to a fast start and will take an unblemished mark of 9-0 into the weekend.  The Pirates chalked up four wins in the Austin College Tournament last weekend.

East Texas Baptist University stands 4-6 following a Tuesday evening win against LeTourneau.  The Tigers opened the campaign with six straight defeats but regrouped to notch wins in their last four outings.

Austin College, ranked No. 15 nationally, enters the weekend with a 10-0 slate.  The Kangaroos have lost just one game so far this year and are coming off a championship effort in a tournament they host this past weekend, defeating Mary-Hardin Baylor, McMurry, Howard Payne and Oklahoma City all in three games.

ON THE HORIZON - Following the Southwestern Invitational, the Eagles return home the weekend of Sept. 22-23 when they host the Emory Tournament.  Emory will play Rockford (4:30 pm) and Washington & Lee (7:00 pm) on the opening day.  Other teams in the field include Carthage, Mount St. Joseph and Randolph Macon. 

EMORY NOTES - Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) was named the MVP of the Emory Classic after totaling 43 kills, 20 blocks (5-15), 40 digs and seven service aces over the four matches that spanned 15 games ... In three of the matches, she finished with double figures in attacks and had two performances with double-digit digs including 23 against Bethel that tied her career high ... In the championship match vs. Hiram, she hit a season-high 44.4 percent (11-3-18) and registered three service aces and four blocks ... Sophomore middle Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) earned All-Classic honors after hitting a solid a solid 31.2 percent (48-16-101) while record 10 blocks (1-9) ... In the four-game win over Texas Lutheran, Huffman recorded a career-high 16 attacks ... Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) hit a blazing 55.0 percent (14-3-20) against Maryville, representing the high-water mater by an Emory player this year ... Through six matches Buren paces the club with a 3.17 kills per game average, good for seventh place among UAA performers ... Sophomore Ellen Scott (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) dished out a career-best 65 assists in the Bethel match ... Scott's 11.76 assists per-game average ranks her No. 2 in the UAA .... Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) paces the team with 3.79 digs per game, good for seventh among UAA players.

COURTNEY ROSE TO MISS 2006 SEASON - Emory University's Courtney Rose, the 2005 NCAA Division III Player of the Year, will sit out this season following a knee injury she suffered in spring. 

WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY  NO. 5 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 5 spot in this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  As was the case in the preseason poll, Juniata holds, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 599 points and 23 of the 24 first-place votes.  Right on the heels of Juniata with 563 points is Washington University (Mo.).  who tallied eight first-place votes.  La Verne (558 pts.) and St. Thomas (MN) (493 pts.) are No. 3 and 4, respectively, with Emory checking in with 475 points. 

Sept. 11

Q & A with Jenny McDowell

Emory University head volleyball coach Jenny McDowell is in her 11th season in charge of the Eagles' program.  Recently, she sat down and answered some questions for the www.go.emory.edu  web site

Q:  Coach, you are in your 11th season at Emory.  What are some of the important things that you have learned about being a head coach during that time that time?

A:  It doesn't matter whether if you are at a Division I or a Division III program.  The bottom line is that you have to outwork your competition to be successful.

Q: How have you been able to maintain the high level of success at Emory throughout your tenure?

A:  Hard work, having an incredible staff, great student athletes and tremendous support from our administration.

Q:  What do you think fans can expect from the 2006 Emory Volleyball Team?

A: A number of new faces but the same exciting style of volleyball - great defense and fast offense.

Q:  What made you get into the coaching profession?  Was it something that you wanted to do early on or did it develop as your playing career evolved?

A: After graduate school I realized quickly how much I enjoyed being around college athletes.  I feel incredibly blessed to be part of their lives at such a critical stage in their life.

Q: What are the key characteristics that you look for in a potential student-athlete?

A: Great character, academically motivated and fast, quick athletes

Q:   What did you like most about Emory University?

A:  The fact that everyone on campus wants to be the best!

Q:  What did you feel Emory offers somebody, both in athletics and academics, who wants to play for your program?

A:  The best of both worlds!  To have the opportunity to study at a top-ranked academic institution and to be able to compete for national championships year in and year out.

Q:  What do you like most about your coaching?

A:  Being able to stay positive with players and helping them believe in themselves

Q:  What are some of your hobbies or activities you enjoy doing away from coaching?

A:  Cycling, spending time with my two golden retrievers and hanging out with my family.

Okay, we are going to lighten it up a bit.   Here are some quick hitters for you to answer

Favorite movie and why: I'm going to answer with a couple of movies.   First, "Dead Poets Society."  It was a story about a teacher trying to helping young people find out who they really were.  Also, "Ghost,"  because it shows the power of love.

Favorite food:  Lobster and ice cream

Best advice you have ever been given and who gave it to you:  "Become a coach," given to me by former University of Georgia head coach Jim Iams.

Most influential people:  My brother, Dave, who has helped teach me about God's love; my mother who taught me strength as a single mom after my dad passed; and my friend, Sharon, who has showed me what a true friend is.

Biggest coaching influence:  My high school coach, Mike Larko, who got me interested in volleyball as a young kid; Jim Iams, who was my coaching mentor at UGA and Sid Feldman, my college coach.

Pre-game rituals that you have:  Quiet time alone in my office.

Favorite pro athlete: Tiger Woods because of his relentless drive for excellence.

Favorite pro team:  Pittsburgh Steelers

Favorite place on the Emory campus:  Lullwater Park and the Quad

Your most memorable moment as a player:  Winning our first SEC championship in 1985.

Your most memorable moment as a coach:  Winning our first South Region championship that put us on our way to the Final Four

Your strongest attribute:  Work ethic

If you could have dinner with three people in history, they would be:  Jesus, Billy Graham and my father who passed away when I was 12 years old.

Sept. 9

EMORY VOLLEYBALL CAPTURES CLASSIC CROWN

The Emory University volleyball team captured the championship of the Emory Classic this afternoon by defeating Hiram in three games.  The Eagles topped the Terriers 30-27, 30-21, 30-22 to posted a 4-0 won-lost during the weekend and raise their season record to 4-2.  The setback dropped Hiram's mark to 7-1.

Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) picked up a team-high 15 attacks and finished with a keen 30.7 hitting percentage (15-2-39).  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) was solid with 11 kills, a hitting percentage of 44.4 percent (11-3-18), three service aces, and three block assists.  Freshman Alysse  Meyer (Stockton, CA) came through with 13 terminations while sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) picked up 12 kills.  Sophomore setter Ellen Scott (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) dished out 46 assists.

For the match, the Eagles hit 24.8 percent (55-17-153) and finished with 66 digs and 10 total blocks.
           
Emory representatives on the Classic All-Tournament Team were Huffman and Bunning, with Bunning getting the nod for MVP.  Huffman finished the four matches with 48 kills and hit 31.6 percent (48-16) while chalking up total 10 total blocks (1-9).  Bunning was a steadying influence all weekend and she compiled 43 kills, 40 digs and seven service aces.

"We are obviously pleased with getting four wins this weekend," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said.  "The leadership of some of our veterans like Janet Bunning, Maggie Baird and Madison Robelen was key and having Dani Huffman back in the line up was huge.  She is such an emotional leader."

Next up for Emory is a trip to Georgetown, Tex., to compete in the Southwestern University Invitational next Friday and Saturday (Sept. 15-16).


Emory Classic Day 1 Results
Hiram def. Bethel 28-30, 30-25, 30-23, 30-15
Texas Lutheran def. Maryville 30-25, 25-30, 33-31, 30-11
Bethel def. Rhodes 30-24, 22-30, 30-22, 29-31, 15-10
Hiram def. Rhodes 30-26, 26-30, 30-27, 30-10
Emory def. Maryville 32-30, 30-14, 30-13
Emory def. Texas Lutheran 30-26, 26-30, 30-18, 30-23

Emory Classic Day 2 Results
Emory def. Bethel 28-30, 30-28, 35-33, 23-30, 15-10
Rhodes def. Maryville 30-18, 30-20, 30-28
Bethel def. Maryville 21-30, 30-12, 30-24, 30-26
Hiram def. Texas Lutheran 31-33, 30-23, 30-15, 30-27
Rhodes def. Texas Lutheran 30-20, 30-17, 30-24
Emory def. Hiram 30-27, 30-21, 30-22

Emory Classic All-Tournament Team
Melissa Mudge - Texas Lutheran
Liz Glesne - Bethel
Laura Naig - Bethel
Jen Hlebovy - Hiram
Michelle Kozempa - Hiram
Janet Bunning - Emory
Dani Huffman -- Emory University

Classic MVP
Janet Bunning (MVP)

Sept. 9

EMORY VOLLEYBALL GETS BY BETHEL UNIVERSITY

ATLANTA -  The Emory University volleyball team captured its third straight match but it wasn't easy as the Eagles recorded an exciting five-game win over  Bethel University in the Emory Classic played at the Woodruff PE Center.  Emory boosted its record to 3-2 following a 28-30, 30-28, 35-33, 23-30, 15-10 verdict over the Royals who saw their record slip to 6-2.

Sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) led Emory's offensive attack that featured four players with double-figure kills.  Huffman finished with 14 kills while totaling three block assists.  Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) posted 12 attacks and registered a team-high 23 digs.  Freshman Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) and sophomore Maggie Baird (San Anotnio, TX) posted 12 and 10 kills, respectively.  For the match, Emory hit 22.7 percent (72-29-189) and recorded 107 digs.

"I thought that it was total team victory and that the fact that Bethel is a good team who has defeated some good competition should help our confidence," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said after the match.  "Bethel did a good job of changing their defenses and attacking our defense.  I thought that Alysse Meyer stepped up and played with confidence and teamed with Hillary Buren to give us a good outside attack."

Emory closes out play this weekend when it takes on the winner of the Texas Lutheran vs. Hiram match scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 pm.

NOTE:  In consolation game #1 played earlier today, Rhodes defeated Maryville, 30-18, 30-20, 30-28

 Sept. 8

EMORY VOLLEYBALL DEFEATS TEXAS LUTHERAN

A balanced offensive attack that saw four players record double figures in kills sparked the Emory volleyball team to a four-game win over Texas Lutheran Friday evening in the Emory Classic played at the Woodruff Center.  The Eagles evened their record at 2-2 on the year following a 30-26, 26-30, 30-18, 30-23 decision over the Bulldogs.  The win evened Emory's record at 2-2 while Texas Lutheran dropped to 4-3.

Emory employed a well-rounded attack in picking up the win with sophomore Dani Huffman (San Diego, CA) leading the way with 16 kills along with a solid 31.2 hitting percentage (16-6-32).  Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) came through with her second straight 14-kills performance while junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) and sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) each came through with 11 attacks.   Emory received solid defensive efforts from freshman Vista Murphy (Laguna Beach, CA) and junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) with 16 and 12 digs, respectively.

For the match, Emory finished with a 13.9 attack percentage (61-38-166) and held Texas Lutheran to 5.1 percent (34-27-137).  The Eagles enjoyed slight edges in both digs (61-57) and blocks (6-4).

 "I saw a lot of energy and fire out there this evening and was pleased to see us fight all the way through the match," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said.  "We never went through any sort of emotional lull at any point during the match.  Overall, I thought that the players did a good job."

            The Emory Classic continues on Saturday with the Eagles taking on Bethel University at 11:30 a.m.
            
   Day 1 - Emory Classic
 Hiram def. Bethel (30-28, 25-30, 30-23, 30-25)
Texas Lutheran def. Maryville (30-25, 25-30, 33-31, 30-11)
Bethel def. Rhodes (30-24, 22-30, 30-22, 29-31, 15-10)
Hiram def. Rhodes (30-26, 26-30, 30-27, 30-10)
Emory def. Maryville (32-30, 30-14, 30-13)
Emory def. Texas Lutheran (30-26, 26-30, 30-18, 30-23)             
           

 Sept. 8

EMORY VOLLEYBALL TOPS MARYVILLE TO EARN FIRST WIN OF SEASON

The Emory University volleyball team turned in an impressive all-around performance in posting a decisive three-game win over Maryville College in the Eagles opening-round game of the Emory Classic.  Head Coach Jenny McDowell and her team earned the squad's first win of the 2006 campaign with a 32-30, 30-14, 30-13 decision over the Lady Scots.

After battling for a hard-fought victory in the first game, the Eagles (1-2) sprinted away from Maryville, hitting an outstanding 47.8 percent (27-6-44) over the final two games compared to Maryville's zero percent (16-16-49).  For the match Emory hit 30.4 percent (49-21-92) vs. the Lady Scots' effort of .091 (25-18-77).   The Eagles finished with a 10-5 edge in total blocks, a 28-21 edge in digs and 15-1 bulge in service aces. 

Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) led the Emory offensive showing with a match-high 14 attacks and 55.0 attack percentage (14-3-20).  Sophomore Ellen Scott (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) doled out 45 assists and junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) registered six total blocks (2-4).

"We emphasized defense this week in practice and we did a good job of keeping balls off the floor," McDowell said.  "We also wanted to serve aggressively and we did a good job of that.  Our middles also did a fine job of reading their hitters."

Emory closes out play later on this evening when it battles Texas Lutheran (4-2) starting at 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 6

EAGLES GEARING UP FOR EMORY CLASSIC  

CLASSIC FACTS -- The Woodruff PE Center on the Emory campus will be the site of the 2006 Emory Classic this Friday and Saturday (Sept. 8 & 9).  Joining the Eagles in this year's tournament are Texas Lutheran, Maryville, Hiram, Bethel University (MN) and Rhodes College.  Emory's first match will be against Maryville on Friday at 4:30 pm before taking on Texas Lutheran at 7:00 pm.   Action continues on Saturday with matches taking place at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm. 

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 310-90.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Kandis Schram (Maryville College, '85) is in her 21st year as head coach of Maryville's program and has 486 victories to her credit heading into this weekend's action. 

Texas Lutheran is led by Tiffany Weidner Davis (Texas State University, '03) who is in her first year after serving as an assistant with the program for three seasons. 

Ellen Dempsey (Michigan State, '86) is in her fifth year at the helm at Hiram and starts play this weekend with a school record of 89-51 record.  Now in her 14th season as a collegiate head coach, Dempsey has a career record of 256-197.

Bethel University is under the direction of sixth-year head coach Gretchen Hunt (Central College, '97), who posts a school record of 98-68 prior to Friday's action.

Samantha Lambert (Earlham, '96) of Rhodes is in her eighth campaign as head coach of the Lynx.  Heading into 2006, Rhodes had averaged 20-plus wins over the previous six seasons.

SERIES RECORDS -- Emory holds an 11-2 edge in the all-time series against Maryville College.  Last year, the Eagles came away with a pair of 3-0 decisions against the Lady Scots.

The Eagles stand 6-0 all-time against Texas Lutheran.  The last time the teams met came during the 1994 campaign when Emory recorded victories in two meetings.

Emory is 1-0 all-time against Hiram, 3-5 vs. Rhodes and 0-0 vs. Bethel.

THE RECORDS - Emory takes a record of 0-2 into this weekend's action.  The Eagles came out on the short end of a pair of home matches last weekend, losing to Lee University (3-1) and Savannah College of Art & Design (3-2).   

Maryville College, a member of the Great South Athletic Conference, suffered a season-opening loss but will start play this weekend with a five-match win streak that has boosted its record to 5-1.  Maryville hosted Johnson Bible College on Tuesday and recorded a 3-0 win (30-11, 30-14, 30-14).

Texas Lutheran, an American Southwest Conference member, stands 3-2 following a win over Schreiner on Tuesday evening (30-20, 30-20, 30-20).  Last weekend the Bulldogs participated in the Pacific University Boxer Classic and split four matches.

Hiram College invades Atlanta with a perfect 4-0 record following a championship performance at the Ohio Northern Invitational last weekend.  Among the Terriers' tourney conquests were No. 19-ranked Mt. Saint Joseph and #12-ranked Ohio Northern.

Bethel, a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Association, played at Wisconsin-River Falls on Tuesday evening and came away with a five-game win.  Prior to that match, the Royals turned in a championship effort in the Northwestern College Tournament over Labor Day weekend, topping Macalester (3-0), Northwestern College (3-2), Waldorf (3-0) and UW-Superior (3-0) en route to the title.

Rhodes, a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference member, was in search of its first win of the young season as it stood 0-4 prior to a Thursday match (Sept. 7) at Arkansas Tech.  The Lynx opened their season with losses to Loyola University (LA), 3-0, Lyon College (3-1), Belhaven College (3-2) and West Alabama University (3-1) at the Belhaven Tournament last weekend.

ON THE HORIZON - Following the Emory Classic, the Eagles will take to the road for the first time the weekend of Sept. 15-16 when they compete in the Southwestern University Tournament in Georgetown, Texas.  Emory will play Houston Baptist and Southwestern University on Friday before battling East Texas Baptist University and Austin College on Saturday.  

EMORY NOTES - Junior Janet Bunning (Bethesda, MD) emerged as the team leader in attacks over the weekend, totaling 30 kills in nine games (3.33 kpg).  Bunning totaled team highs in that category in both matches (13 vs. Lee University and 17 vs. SCAD) and also chalked up double-digit digs in both outings, including a career-best 23 against SCAD ... A number of freshmen saw action during the opening weekend of play ... Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) was second on the club with 12 attacks in the Lee match and finished the two matches second on the squad with 21 kills ... Vista Murphy (Laguna Beach, Calif.) recorded 24 digs, including 15 against Lee, in her appearnces while Kaitlin Westfall (St. Louis, MO) finished with five kills and nine block assists ... Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) also appeared in four games ... Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) was a presence at the net for the Eagles throughout the weekend and finished with 14 total blocks (2-12) ... The 6-foot-1 Baird recorded a career-best eight blocks (2-6) in the Lee contest ... Junior Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) registered back-to-back career bests in digs with 18 against Lee and 22 vs. SCAD.

WEB CASTING OF EMORY VOLLEYBALL AVAILABLE -- Highlight Reel Productions will be offering live web casting with announcing of Emory Men's and Women's Soccer and Volleyball home games this fall.  Games will be available to watch live and on-demand online, and DVDs can be ordered.  Please visit HRPTV.com to gain access to the games.

EMORY TABBED FOR NO. 4 SPOT NATIONALLY IN PRESEASON POLL - The Emory volleyball squad held down the No. 4 spot in the CSTV/AVCA Preseason Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata holds, the national runner-up in 2005, claimed the No. 1 spot in the poll with 579 points and received 13 of the 24 first-place votes.  Right on the heels of Juniata with 576 points was Wittenberg who tallied eight first-place votes.  La Verne (516 pts.) and Emory (511 pts.) held down the No. 3 and 4 positions, respectively, while Washington University (508 pts.) rounded out the top five.


Emory Classic Schedule

 Sept. 4

EMORY VOLLEYBALL NAMES SUSAN COOLE ASSISTANT COACH

Emory University head volleyball coach Jenny McDowell has announced that Susan Coole has joined the program as an assistant coach. 

Coole, a native of Mansfield, Penn., has been a resident of Atlanta since 1995 when she moved to work for the 1996 Olympic Committee.  Since 2002, she has worked at the Suwanee Sports Academy where she served as the head coach for grassroots programming.  In addition, she was the coach of that club's 16s team as well as directing the club's first regional year-round comprehensive volleyball development program for ages 12 and up. In 2003 and 2004, Coole was the head coach for the Vertical One Club team's 15s and 16s teams.  As a member of the Oglethorpe University athletic department, Coole was an assistant coach for the volleyball and basketball squads (1998 and 1999) and was the schools's golf coach.

Coole attended Hamilton College (NY) where she competed on the volleyball and basketball teams.  She earned her degree in comparative literature in 1994.

 Sept. 2, 2006

EMORY VOLLEYBALL DROPS 5-GAME MARATHON TO SCAD 

The Emory University volleyball team battled Savannah College of Art and Design Saturday afternoon over five intense games before falling to the Bees.  The Eagles claimed wins in the first two games but the visiting SCAD squad battled back to take home a 24-30, 26-30, 30-24, 30-23, 15-7 verdict.

As was the case in Emory's earlier contest of the day against Lee University junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) led the offensive attack with17 attacks while registering a career-best a 23 digs.  Sophomore Maggie Baird (San Antonio, TX) chipped in 12 kills and six block assists while sophomore setter Ellen Scott (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) doled out 24 assists and contributed nine digs.

After a 30-26 win, sparked in part by Bunning's seven kills, gave Emory a 2-0 games advantage, it appeared that the Eagles were in the driver's seat to earn the win.  However SCAD shored up its defensive play and rode the arm of junior Cristina Payne in the comeback.  The 5-foot-11 outside hitter finished with a solid all-around game with 22 kills and 31 digs.

In the decisive fifth game, Emory, who lost starter Ann Nicoletti in the first match of the day due to an injury, and who sat out senior All-American Courtney Rose as she fully recovers from an earlier injury, fell behind by a 7-0 and was not able to recover from the deficit. 

Emory's next action takes place next weekend (Sept. 8-9) when it hosts the Emory Classic.  The Eagles battle Maryville on Friday at 4:30 pm before meeting Texas Lutheran at 7:00 pm.

Sept. 2

LEE UNIVERSITY EDGES EMORY IN VOLLEYBALL OPENER  

The Emory University volleyball team came out on the short of a spirited four-game decision to Lee University in the season opener for both teams.  The Lady Flames topped the Eagles, 30-23, 30,24, 23-30, 30-25.  

Junior Janet Bunning (Washington, DC) posted a double-double to pace Emory with a team-high 13 attacks and 14 digs.  In addition to her offensive totals, Bunning recorded six total blocks (1-5).  Freshman Hillary Buren (Kansas City, MO) was the other Eagle to finish in double digits in attacks with 13.  Junior libero Maggie Ramm (Tampa, FL) finished with a match-best 18 digs.  Freshman Vista Murphy (Laguna Beach, CA) came off the bench early in the match following an injury to starter Ann Nicoletti (Chesterfield, MO) and made a fine account for herself, finishing with 15digs while dishing out three service aces.

  "It was pretty much of a first match and we were young out there with three freshmen," Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell said following the match.  "We started out a little bit slow but we definitely improved each game which was good to see."

  Emory closes out the day's action with a 4:00 pm match against the Savannah College of Art and Design.

 Aug. 29

EMORY VOLLEYBALL SQUAD TO OPEN 2006 CAMPAIGN

MATCH FACTS -- The 2006 Emory University volleyball team opens the program's 20th season of intercollegiate play this Saturday (Sept. 2) when it plays host to a pair foes.  The Eagles open their campaign against Lee University at 11:00 a.m. before meeting Savannah College of Art and Design at 4:00 pm.  Both contests will be played at the Woodruff PE Center on the Emory Campus.

THE COACHES - Emory is led by 11th-year Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, '89).  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 310-88.  Her 77.8 winning percentage places her third among active Division III head coaches.  She has eight campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 10 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a 2003 Final Four appearance.

Andrea Hudson (Lee College, '84) begins her 16th year as head coach of the Lee University program.  Hudson has manufactured a school and career record of 503-180 and has guided the Lady Flames to five appearances in the NAIA Tournament.

SCAD is led by Glenn Cox (Valdosta State, '94) who brings a five-year school and career mark of 91-57 into the weekend. 

SERIES RECORDS -- Emory holds a 9-8 edge in the all-time series against Lee University.  Last year, the Eagles opened the season with a come-from-behind five-game triumph over the Flames.  Emory stands 19-2 all-time against SCAD.  The Bees claimed a five-game decision over Emory last season.

2005 RECORDS - Emory is coming off a stellar 2005 season that saw the team compile an overall record of 32-6.  The Eagles advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the quarterfinals.

Lee University, a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference, closed last year with an overall record of 27-15.  The Lady Flames brought home the SSAC regular season (12-0) and Tournament championship.

SCAD, a Florida Sun Conference member (NAIA) posted a 25-12 effort in 2005 that included a conference effort of 12-1, good for first place.  The Bees ended the year ranked 15th in the nation.

EMORY A FORCE AT HOME - The Eagles have established an excellent home court advantage over the years, fashioning a record of 208-40 since 1992.  Included in that record is a 33-5 mark over the last two seasons (18-2 in 2004, 15-3 in 2005). 

ON THE HORIZON - The Eagles will host the Emory Classic the weekend of Sept. 8-9.  Included in this year's field are Texas Lutheran, Maryville, Hiram, Bethel and Rhodes.  Action starts on Friday at 11:30 am when Hiram takes on Bethel.  Emory's first of two matches that day takes place at 4:30 pm against Maryville.

EMORY TABBED FOR NO. 4 SPOT NATIONALLY IN PRESEASON POLL - The Emory volleyball squad holds down the No. 4 spot in the CSTV/AVCA Preseason Top 25 Volleyball Poll.  Juniata holds, the national runner-up in 2005, claims the No. 1 spot in the poll with 579 points and received 13 of the 24 first-place votes.  Right on the heels of Juniata with 576 points is Wittenberg who tallied eight first-place votes.  La Verne (516 pts.) and Emory (511 pts.) held down the No. 3 and 4 positions, respectively, while Washington University (508 pts.) rounded out the top five.