The Emory volleyball program capped off a memorable season the weekend of Nov. 15-17, 2018, when it brought home the program’s second-ever national title.  

The Eagles of Head Coach Jenny McDowell peaked at exactly the right time, winning 17 of their last 18 matches to close out the year with a record of 30-6, the 12^th straight campaign of 30 or more victories.  

Emory’s drive to the national crown was jump started with a first-place finish at the University Athletic Association Championships where it swept Brandeis in the quarterfinals, followed by a similar result against Carnegie Mellon in the semis.  In the title showdown, the Eagles blanked No. 10-ranked Chicago for the second time during the year, earning the conference’s automatic berth to the postseason.

Emory took a short trip to Berry College where it put on an impressive display, sweeping three foes en route to claiming the NCAA Mount Berry Regional.  After dispatching Meredith College in the opening round, the Eagles toppled No. 4 Colorado College and No. 22 Mary Hardin-Baylor, propelling the squad to the Championships on the campus of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

In a rematch of the 2017 quarterfinals, Emory gained a measure of revenge against Ithaca College with a 3-1 decision.  The Eagles then punched their ticket to the championship contest with a sweep of No. 6 Juniata College.  In a highly anticipated match-up against No. 1-ranked Calvin, Emory came through with its most impressive outing of the season, hitting a blazing .364 in a sweep (25-22, 25-16, 25-12) of the Knights.

Senior setter Mady Arles was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Championships, culminating a memorable campaign that saw her land First Team All-America honors.  Joining Arles on the Championships All-Tourney Team were junior Elyse Thompson and sophomore Leah Saunders.   Both Thompson and Saunders were Honorable Mention All-America picks while senior Karissa Dzurik played her way to second-team recognition.

It represented the 23rd straight year (24th overall) that Emory advanced to the postseason with the program now claiming a 51-23 all-time mark in NCAA Tournament action.   

Other highlights from the year included:

** The Eagles winning their third University Athletic Association Championships in the past five years.  Emory swept Brandeis and Carnegie Mellon in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, before rolling to a 3-0 outcome against Chicago in the title showdown, with the third game an epic 33-31 result in the Eagles' favor.

** Tying for first place in the UAA and 12th nationally in hitting percentage (.244) -- Emory hit .300 or higher on 11 matches.

** Pacing the conference and ranking 10th in the D-III ranks in assists per set (12.7 aps).

** Pounding out a conference-best 13.66 kills per set with that mark good for sixth place on the national scene.

** Topping the UAA in opponent hitting percentage (.146).

** Enjoying the edge in attack percentage in 29 of 36 matches.

** Compiling 12 contests with 10 or more service aces -- Emory finished the season with 268 service aces, placing it 31st in Division III .

** Standing 30th nationally in blocks average (2.03 bps).

** As usual, taking on a demanding schedule that saw the team play a total of 12 matches against nine teams that landed postseason berths.

** Registering a 13-match home record of 11-2.  The Eagles stand 381-56 on their home court since the 1992 campaign, 52-6 since 2015.

Mady Arles, one of six seniors on the team, enjoyed a storybook season that saw her earn numerous individual accolades.  Running the Emory attack with precision from her setter position, Arles landed AVCA First Team All-America honors after ranking second in the league and 15th nationally with an average of 10.71 assists per set. Named the Most Oustanding Player of the NCAA Championships, Arles played her way to first-team acclaim on the All-UAA Team as well as being selected as the South Region Player of the Year.  She wrapped up her career in the No. 8 spot on the program's all-time list with 2,233 assists. 

Senior middle Sydney Leimbach's ability to rebound after injuries helped maintain her status as one of the premier players at her position.  The 6-foot-2 Leimbach was a All-UAA Second Team honoree and ranked second on the squad and fifth among league players in blocks average (0.92 bps). She made the most of her attack opportunities, posting a hitting mark of .331 (240-69--516) that placed seventh among conference performers.  Leimbach was voted to the NCAA Mount Berry Regional All-Tournament Team after putting on a dominant display that saw her lead the squad with an average of 3.89 kills over nine sets while hitting a blistering .564 (35-4--55).  Career-wise, she finished ninth all-time at Emory in hitting percentage (.337) and 13th in blocks average (0.84 bps). 

Senior outside hitter Karissa Dzurik made the most of her final season in an Emory uniform, bringing home AVCA Second Team All-America acclaim.  Dzurik was a key component of the Emory attack, pacing the team with a 3.18 kills-per-set average, good for eighth place among UAA players.  A First-Team All-UAA choice, she chalked up 23 outings with double-figure kills and led or tied for squad honors in that category on 14 occasions. 

Sophomore Leah Saunders continued her ascension as one of D-III's bright young stars by landing AVCA Honorable Mention All-America status.  The 5-foot-8 Saunders was selected as the UAA's Most Valuable Player and finished the year second on the team with a 2.72 kills-per-set average, chalking up 13 matches of 10 or more terminations. Recognized for her clutch play, she was afforded a spot on the NCAA Championships All-Tournament Team after averaging 2.80 kills and 3.60 digs over 10 sets of play. 

A stalwart with her defensive play, junior libero Elyse Thompson was chosen as an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American. The lone Eagle to have played in all 119 of the team's sets during the season, Thompson averaged 4.55 digs per set, fourth among UAA players and fifth on the program's all-time seasonal chart.  She recorded 32 matches of double-figure digs including nine of 20 or more. She shined at the NCAA Championships by averaging 6.30 digs over the team's 10 sets, with her play helping limiting the three opponents to a .146 hitting percentage as well as resulting with a nod to the All-Tournament Team.

2018 marked the emergence of sophomore middle Finn Wilkins. The 6-foot-2 Wilkins was a formidable defensive presence at the net, leading the team and ranking second among UAA players in blocks average (1.06 bps).  A two-time UAA Player of the Week, Wilkins totaled 15 matches with three or more blocks while pacing or tying for team honors in blocks in 12 matches

Other seniors who bid the program farewell included Carly Saitman, Mila Barzdukas and Becky Breuer.

Honor and Awards