The 2008 Emory volleyball team enjoyed a season to remember as the squad captured the program's first-ever national title. The Eagles displayed a never-say-die attitude throughout the campaign that was prominently displayed in the NCAA Tournament. In the team's five NCAA Tournament outings, Emory faced deficits in four of the matches including a 2-1 obstacle against Southwestern in the regional finals and 2-0 hole against Ohio Northern in the national semifinals. The Eagles made things even more exciting in the Ohio Northern match when, after tying the bout at 2-2, they fell behind by a 9-3 and 10-5 margins
in the deciding fifth set. In the championship affair against La Verne, Emory dropped the first set by a 25-16 margin before rattling off three straight wins to nab the crown.

For the record, Emory finished 2008 with an overall record of 35-6 which established a school record for most wins in a season. The Eagles' victory total marked the program's 10th campaign of 30 or more wins during the 13-year tenure of head coach Jenny McDowell and marked the school's 15th consecutive winning campaign.

In addition to bringing home the national title, the Eagles accomplished the following during the 2008 season.

** Earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the 13th consecutive year and advancing to the semifinal round for the second time.

** Concluding the campaign ranked first nationally by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.  The Eagles have been ranked in the top 20 in every weekly poll by the AVCA for the last 12 seasons.

** Ranking prominently on the national scene in a number of statistical categories including 20th in winning percentage (.854), 24th in kills per game (12.58 kpg), 29th in assists per set (11.44 apg) and 33rd in hitting percentage (23.8%).

** Recording its first win over a No. 1-ranked team since November of 2005 when it defeated top-ranked Juniata, 3-0, before an appreciative Senior Night on Oct. 31.

** Having three players earn AVCA All-America recognition.

As usual, the Eagles played a demanding schedule that included 12 matches against 10 teams that earned bids to NCAA postseason play. The Woodruff PE Center provided Emory with a definite home-court advantage with the squad recording a 11-2 slate.   Over the last five years, the Eagles stand an impressive 74-13 in home matches. At one point during the season, Emory won 13 straight matches (Sept. 5 through Sept. 26), winning 39 of 46 sets in the process. The Eagles closed out the year by notching victories in 15 of their last 17 matches.

Senior outside hitterDani Huffman capped off a great career by earning numerous accolades including a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America First Team. Tabbed as the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Championships, she was chosen to the All-UAA First Team for the second staright season. Huffman landed a berth on the All-South Region First Team and ended the year by averaging 3.11 kills per game, second on the squad and fourth among UAA players. Her 436 kills ranked seventh on the school's seasonal ladder and she racked up 22 matches of double-figure kills. Career-wise, the San Diego, Calif., native concluded her stint with the Eagles ranked prominently in numerous categories including, second in attack percentage (36.5%); fourth in total blocks (425), third in block assists (316), fourth in block solos (109), eighth in kills (1,267) and eighth in kills per set (2.93 kps). Dani totaled 64 matches of double-figure kills. She also shined in the academic realm, becoming the third player in school history to earn the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award . Selected as the Georgia Female Athlete of the Year by the Women's Intersport Network, Huffman was the recipient of Emory's 2008-09 Bridges and also was voted to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Third Team.

Junior Alysse Meyer continued to build upon her reputation as one of the premier hitters in the nation en route to earning First Team All-America kudos. Her 491 kills led the team, and ranked fourth on the school's seasonal chart, while her 3.36 kills per-game average also topped the squad and placed her second among UAA performers. Meyer chalked up 29 matches of double-figure kills including a career-high 30 put-aways against Haverford College, tying the school's second-highest match total. A first-team choice on both All-South Region and All-UAA squads, Meyer was further recognized for her contributions by being awarded Emory's 2008-09 Partin Award, symbolic of an outstanding career or season performance in a team-based sport.

Freshman setter Natalie Schonefeld stepped into a starting role early in the season after an injury forced senior Madison Robelen to the sidelines, and the rookie performed with the precision of a battle-tested veteran. Schonefeld captured Second Team All-America recognition after leading the UAA and ranking ninth nationally in assists per set (10.6 aps). Her total of 1,421 assists ranked third on Emory's seasonal chart while her assists per-game effort was eighth. An All-South Region First Team pick, she was also tabbed as Region Rookie of the Year. In addition, she became the fifth player in the history of the program to be named UAA Rookie of the Year. Schonefeld dished out a personal-best 62 assists in the national semifinals against Ohio Northern (Nov. 21) and was selected to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team.

Senior Maggie Baird was rock-solid on the right side and earned Second Team All-University Athletic Association honors, her fourth straight season of conference recognition. Playing in 37 matches, the 6-foot-1 Baird averaged 2.01 kills and 0.53 blocks per game. She landed All-South Region honorable mention recognition and concluded the year with seven matches of 10 or more kills. Baird came through with the match-winning attack against La Verne in the NCAA Championship contest. Career-wise, she finished her stint with the Eagles ranked prominently in numerous categories including kills (10th, 1064), total blocks (7th, 316) and block assists (6th, 266).

Freshman Brannan O'Neill emerged as an outstanding defensive presence with her play allowing her to claim Second Team All-UAA honors. O'Neill topped the club with a 3.92 digs per game average, good for sixth place among UAA players, and her total of 568 digs ranked second on Emory's seasonal chart while her per-game average in that department placed her third. Named the UAA Co-Player of the Week (Nov. 17) following her effort in the NCAA Regionals, she earned all-tournament honors at both the Christopher Newport Invitational and the Emory National Invitational.

Head Coach Jenny McDowell saw her fair share of hardware as well. McDowell was chosen as the AVCA Division III National Coach of the Year after guiding the team to the national championship. McDowell, who also garnered All-South Region Coach of the Year honors, reached a milestone when she rang up her 400th career win on Nov. 7 against Brandeis during the UAA Championships.

Other seniors who bid the program farewell included Madision Robelen (No. 2 all-time at Emory with 3,588 assists) and Lulu Kaiali.