The No. 1-ranked Emory volleyball team closed out its participation at the East-To-West Challenge on Saturday afternoon with a sweep of Cal Lutheran University.  The Eagles upped their record to 8-1 following a 25-20, 25-21, 25-17 decision over the Regals who fell to 6-4.  Serving as the host of the Challenge was Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

Emory closed out the contest hitting .261 (47-17—115) to CLU's .144 (30-14—111), the eighth time this year it finished with an edge in that category.  The Eagles held a decisive 58-43 margin in digs while the Regals totaled nine total blocks to Emory's four.

Senior Morgan McKnight topped all players with 13 kills, her sixth performance of double digits this year, while sophomore Tara Martin logged 11 successful attack attempts en route to posting a .292 (11-4—24) attack percentage.  Junior Maggie Rimmel continued her fine play at the Challenge, hitting .500 on the strength of eight terminations with just one miscue in 14 swings.  Rimmel also chipped in a pair of block assists.   Senior Maureen Schick spearheaded Emory's defensive effort with a career-high 20 digs while freshman setter Cassie Srb contributed 14 digs to go along with her 34 assists.

Friday evening saw Emory even its record at the Challenge with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 30-28) outcome over No. 6 Juniata.  Martin produced a match-leading 12 kills, hitting .417 (12-2—24) in the process, while McKnight dialed up nine terminations.  Schick helped Emory to a 47-44 edge in digs by pacing all players with 18.

Emory now turns its attention to the University Athletic Association Round Robin I next Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 21-22) on the campus of Brandeis University.