Emory University triumphed over Transylvania University after four sets (25-20, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20) in the NCAA DIII Atlanta Regional Semifinals at the Woodruff P.E. Center Saturday night.
Emory trailed by four points in the opening set but then won seven consecutive points to eventually claim game one 25-20. The Eagles used junior Maggie Rimmel's presence at the net to limit Transylvania to a hitting percentage of .086 in the first set. Rimmel collected four block assists and added three kills.
Senior Morgan McKnight accumulated five terminations in each of the first two games, but her attacks were not enough for the Eagles to take the second set. Transylvania operated with an improved offensive efficiency in the second game. The Pioneers swung with at success rate of .405 in the second stanza, which allowing senior Hannah Talkers to pick up 12 assists in the frame. On the other end of Talkers' sets, was senior Taryn Glass who erupted for seven kills in Transylvania's 25-21 game two win.
McKnight continued to give the Pioneers trouble in set three, as she registered six more kills. But the Eagles returned to the defensive form they showed in the opening game, holding Transylvania to a hitting percentage of .087 to take the third set 25-21.
Emory carried the momentum of the set three win into the final frame. The Eagles benefitted from five kills from both McKnight and sophomore Tara Martin in the fourth set, which allowed Emory to finish off Transylvania with a 25-21 set win.
Four Eagles ended their semifinal match with double-digit kill totals. McKnight, Martin, Rimmel, and junior Leah Saunders all played major roles in Emory's attack. McKnight concluded with 21 kills, Martin had 11, Rimmel recorded 10, and Saunders ripped 14 kills. Additionally, Elyse Thompson was on the receiving end of most of Transylvania's attacks, as she ended up with 24 digs. Senior Sara Carr also had 14 digs.
For the Pioneers, Jordan Horne and Taryn Glass combined for 27 kills. Horne, a senior, contributed 14 while Glass had 13. Setter Hannah Talkers distributed 36 assists and added 20 digs. Junior Ellie Stigger used her height to pick up five block assists for Transylvania.
Emory University, 31-2 on the year, now advances to the Atlanta Regional Final, which is scheduled for 2:00 PM EST and will be played at the Woodruff P.E. Center. The Eagles will face Colorado College (32-4), who defeated Berry College earlier in the day.