The No. 2-ranked Emory volleyball team split its final two regular-season matches of the year on the final day of the Emory National Invitational Tournament, defeating No. 5-ranked Heidelberg, 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-17), before dropping a five-set battle to NAIA power Lee University (22-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17, 12-15).  The split leaves the Eagles' overall record at 32-3 on the year.

Emory posted a .267 hitting percentage (42-14-105) against Heidelberg and turned in another stellar defensive effort in limiting the visiting side to .054 percent (28-22-111).  The Eagles posted a 53-43 advantage in digs and enjoyed an 8-4 cushion in total blocks.  Senior Amelia McCall led all players with 14 kills en route to a .324 hitting percentage (14-2—37).  Junior Breanah Bourque chipped in seven kills while senior Jessica McAlvany totaled six successful put-aways and four total blocks (1-3).   Senior setter Natalie Schonefeld aided in the cause by dishing out 30 assists and contributing 14 digs.

It was only fitting that the final home match of the regular campaign proved to be the most riveting one as the Eagles and Flames waged a slugfest that featured a total of 414 attack attempts, 195 total digs and 22 total blocks.  McCall set a school match record with 71 attack attempts and finished with a team-high 19 kills.  Senior Ali Wright came through with a huge effort with a season-high 10 terminations along with a .450 hitting percentage and five block assists.  Bourque blasted away for 17 kills and also posted five block assists.  Freshman Cami Silverman paced the team with 21 digs with the Eagles' total of 100 a season high and the ninth-highest mark in school annals.   Emory ended the contest with a .168 attack percentage (61-28—197) while the Flames checked in with a .124 mark (58-31—217).

The setback to Lee ended a 24-match home win streak for the Eagles.  Despite the loss, Emory still has managed a 61-4 won-lost ledger at the Woodruff PE Center since 2008.

Emory returns to action next Friday (Nov. 4) when it takes on Brandeis at noon in the quarterfinals of the UAA Championships in New York.

Emory National All-Tournament Team
Marija Zelenovic (Lee) – MVP
Christa Hutchison (Lee)
Venessa Haase (Heidelbrg)
Libby Morrison (Juniata)
Natalie Schonefeld (Emory)
Amelia McCall (Emory)
Breanah Bourque (Emory)