The No. 4-ranked Emory volleyball team closed out a productive weekend at the Emory Volleyball Classic on Saturday with two victories. The Eagles breezed to a 3-0 win (25-13, 25-13, 25-14) over Averett University in the morning before subduing Berry College in the afternoon by a 3-1 margin (25-27, 25-17, 25-16, 25-12). The two triumphs boosted Emory's record to 8-1.
Emory head coach Jenny McDowell employed her bench against the Cougars of Averett with that decision paying dividends as the Eagles turned in a .376 (42-10—85) hitting percentage compared to their foe's effort of .105 (21-12—86). Sophomore Leah Jacobs (Linville, VA) keyed Emory's offensive effort with a match-high 11 kills, her second-highest career total, while registering a .440 (11-0—25) hitting mark. Sophomore Cat McGrath (St. Louis, MO) clubbed out nine terminations en route to a classy .615 attack percentage (9-1—13). The Eagles concluded the contest with a 47-30 cushion in digs and were paced in that department by freshman Ashley Crawford (Naperville, IL) who totaled 10.
Fresh off a rousing come-from-behind win over Transylvania in its first match of the day, Berry jumped the Eagles in the first set and took a 1-0 lead in the match. However, Emory regrouped and stifled the Vikings' upset bid, limiting them to just a .009 hitting mark over the final three sets on the contest. Senior Breanah Bourque hit a blazing .560, her third match of 50 percent or better this season, blasting away for a season-high 15 kills while picking up a team-high four blocks (1-3). Sophomore Kate Bowman accounted for 13 successful put-aways and totaled 13 digs, her fourth straight double-double (kills/digs). McGrath recorded another efficient hitting performance, chalking up nine kills with no errors in 16 opportunities in manufacturing a .562 attack percentage. For the match, the Eagles hit .266 (57-19—143) compared to Berry's .060 (36-27—149) and finished with a 72-53 bulge in digs, led by freshman Taylor Erwins's 17.
Next up for Emory will be a trip to San Antonio where it will compete at the Trinity National Invitational next Friday and Saturday (Sept. 14-15).
EMORY CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Breanah Bourque – MVP (Emory)
Alex Duhl (Emory)
Kate Bowman (Emory)
Kaiti Watcher (St. Thomas)
Nicole Potts (St. Thomas)
Katie O'Rourke (Berry)
Meghan Bowers (Transylvania)
Emory Volleyball Caps Off Perfect Weekend With Two Saturday Wins
Posted: Sep 08, 2012