WILSON, N.C. – The Emory & Henry College Volleyball Team (0-1) opened its 2023 campaign with a road defeat to Barton College (1-0) Friday night. The Bulldogs earned the sweep by scores of 25-22, 26-24 and 25-23.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Barton 3, Emory & Henry 0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-23)
LOCATION – Wilson, North Carolina
VENUE – Wilson Gymnasium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (0-1, 0-0 SAC); Barton (1-0, 0-0 Carolinas)
How It Happened
- The Bulldogs got off to a hot start in the opening set as they were first to ten points and increased their lead to as many as seven at 16-9. E&H would respond by winning five of the next six points to narrow the gap to 17-14 and force a Barton timeout. The teams traded blows in the latter stages of the frame, but BC would hold on by a 25-22 margin to take set one.
- The Wasps returned the favor in the second as they took the early 7-4 lead, but a pair of exchanged runs from each squad and the score sat level at 15-15 midway through the set. The deciding stages saw E&H draw within one point of taking the frame with the tally at 24-22. The Bulldogs answered by rattling off four consecutive points to clinch the second set 26-24.
- Barton ran out to another 9-6 lead in the third, however an eight-point run pushed the Wasps ahead 14-9. The home team would not go quietly and won eight of the next 11 points to draw square at 17-17. The third culminated in another tight finish and Barton was able to take the set and match 25-23.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Senior right-side hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) led the E&H attack with nine kills, two digs, one block and an assist. Freshman outside hitter Grace Duey (Tega Cay, S.C.) registered six kills, eight digs and a service ace in her Wasps debut while senior middle Hannah Watson (Kingsport, Tenn.) added six kills.
- Sophomore setter Payton Rolfsen (Fort Wayne, Ind.) posted a game-high 27 assists, eight digs, two kills, one block and an ace to pace the E&H squad. Senior defensive specialist Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) contributed seven digs and a pair of assists.
Barton Individual Leaders
- Allison Gambill had a game-high 11 kills, a team-high 15 digs, one block and a service ace in the winning effort for the Bulldogs. Henly Sleight added seven kills, seven digs and an assist.
- Madison Greene led Barton with 14 assists in addition to seven digs, one kill and a service ace.
Up Next
- The Wasps hit the road again on Tuesday, September 5 when they travel to take on the Mountain Lions of Concord University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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