The No. 6-ranked Emory volleyball team captured a pair of matches on the final day of its National Invitational on Saturday, defeating Washington and Lee and UMASS-Boston.   The Eagles opened with a 3-1 (25-13, 25-20, 21-25, 25-18) decision over W&L before closing out the weekend with a 3-0 triumph (25-18, 25-16, 25-14) against UMASS-Boston.  Emory now stands 29-5 on the year.

Emory hit a solid .326 (59-13—141) compared to W&L's effort of .190 (50-20—158).  The Eagles posted a 64-58 edge in blocks and finished with a 9-0 advantage in total blocks.  Senior Breanah Bourque blasted away for a match-high tying 17 kills and topped all players with a .630 attack percentage.   Sophomores Leah Jacobs and Cat McGrath played key roles in the offensive effort with nine terminations apiece with McGrath adding a pair of block solos.  Sophomore Taylor Erwin led three Eagles who finished in double digits with 14 digs while junior Sarah Taub and sophomore Kate Bowman each added a dozen.

In the finale, the Eagles continued their efficient hitting, chalking up a .343 attack percentage (49-12—108), while the Beacons of UMASS-Boston countered with just a .049 showing (23-18—103).   Sophomore Cami Silverman paced all players with 12 kills and team-high 14 digs, her eighth double-double (kills/digs) of the campaign.   Bourque contributed nine terminations along with a team-high four blocks and a service ace.  A trio of Eagles, Jacobs, senior Alex Duhl and freshman Sydney Miles all compiled seven kills.  Jacobs' offensive totals capped off a productive afternoon that saw her hit .411 (16-2—34).

Bourque and Jacobs were Emory representatives on the Invitational's all-tournament team.

Emory returns to action next weekend (Nov. 2-3) when it hosts the University Athletic Association Championships.  

Emory National Invitational All-Tournament Team
Molly Witzman (UMASS-Boston)
M.A. Boles (Washington & Lee)
Hallie Donathan (Wittenberg) -- MVP
Kara Seidenstricker (Wittenberg)
Andrea Behling (Wittenberg)
Breanah Bourque (Emory)
Leah Jacobs (Emory)