In one of the more entertaining matches played at the Woodruff
PE Center in recent memory, the No. 3-ranked Emory University
volleyball team rallied to post an intense 3-2 win over NCAA
Division II member Armstrong Atlantic State University on Friday
evening. The Eagles captured their 11th straight
match and raised their overall record to 19-2 following a
25-13, 22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-11 decision over the Pirates who
slipped to 13-6.
In the hotly contested battle, Emory finished with a 21.7
hitting percentage (66-25-189) compared to AASU's 14.0 percent
(54-28-186). There were plenty of outstanding defensive plays
turned in by both sides and the visitors finished with a slim 88-85
edge in digs while Emory held a 10-9 advantage in total blocks.
Sophomore Brannan O'Neill recorded a match-high 32
digs for Emory, the second-highest match total in school
history. Sophomore Jessica McAlvany
contributed 18 defensive saves in the cause.
McAlvany paced a trio of Emory double-figure performers in kills
with a season-high 24 terminations while posting a match-best 40.4
hitting percentage (24-5-47). Senior Alysse
Meyer rang up 14 kills, her second-highest effort of the
year, while freshman Breanah Bourque rounded out
the group with 10 put-aways.
In the decisive fifth set, a service ace by senior Vista
Murphy capped a 6-1 run and gave Emory an 8-3 lead.
However, the Pirates responded with a 7-2 spurt of their own that
knotted the game at 10-10. The Eagles put some distance
between themselves and their opponent with a 4-0 burst, keyed by
kills from McAlvany and Meyer, along with an ace by Kelsey
Krzyston. After an AASU point, a kill by McAlvany
sealed the win for Emory.
Emory returns to action on Saturday (Oct. 10) when it travels to
Cleveland, Tenn., to battle Covenant College and host Lee
University.