Junior Leah Saunders was tabbed as the Most Valuable Player of the Emory Invitational after helping the No. 3-ranked Eagles compile a 4-0 mark.

The 5-foot-8 Saunders turned in an all-around performance, seeing action in 12 of the squad's 15 sets and averaging a team-high 3.67 kills per game while posting a team-best attack percentage of .405 (44-10--84). She chalked up three double-doubles (kills/digs), boosting her season total to nine (five straight).

She started the Invitational with a 10-kills, 13-digs performance in a 3-0 triumph over Saint Mary's College, ending that encounter with a torrid hitting mark of. 714 (10-0--14). She followed that effort by pounding out a match-best 19 terminations, hitting .429 (19-4--35) in the process, while adding 12 digs and a pair of blocks assists in a 3-1 decision over No. 7 UW-Whitewater. In the Invitational finale, a dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind win over No. 24 Susquehanna, Saunders ranked second on the team's score sheet with 15 successful attack attempts and contributed 13 digs and four blocks assists.

Leah ranks among the UAA's top 20 in several categories including first in kills per set (3.31), 10th in hitting percentage (.284) and 17th in digs per set (2.52 dps).

Emory now stands 23-2 on the year.