ATHENS, W.Va. – The Emory & Henry College Volleyball Team (1-1) picked up its first victory of the 2023 season as it swept Concord University on Tuesday evening. The Wasps rolled to the clean sweep by scores of 25-21, 25-12 and 28-26.
It was the first victory of the Pam Newberry era, who took over the reins of the program in January of 2023.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 3, Concord 0 (25-21, 25-12, 28-26)
LOCATION – Athens, West Virginia
VENUE – Carter Center Gym 2
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-1, 0-0 SAC); Concord (4-1, 0-0 MEC)
How It Happened
- E&H came out firing on all cylinders in the opening set as the Wasps ran out to an early 11-3 advantage. The Mountain Lions managed to mount a rally in the middle stages, drawing to within three points at 18-15. The visitors from Emory held off the Concord push and senior middle Hannah Watson (Kingsport, Tenn.) smashed a kill to put the finishing touches on the 25-21 first set win.
- The second stanza began more evenly and the score stood level at 5-5. The Wasps turned up the pressure and utilized a 14-4 run to push their lead out to double digits. E&H continued their dominant play in the set en route to a 25-12 win.
- The third set saw the Wasps take another early lead at 6-2 but Concord was up to the task and fought back to take the lead late in the frame by a 22-21 margin, forcing an Emory & Henry timeout. The first to 25 points would not be enough in the third frame, as the two squads continued to trade blows. Back-to-back kills from senior right-side hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) put an exclamation mark on the set and match win by a 28-26 score.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Hogan once again led the offense with 14 kills, four digs and a block while junior outside hitter Sophia Kaiser (Stafford, Va.) had 10 kills, eight digs, two service aces and an assist. Watson added seven kills, seven blocks and a dig.
- Sophomore setter Payton Rolfsen (Fort Wayne, Ind.) posted a game-high 42 assists, seven blocks, six digs, three kills and two service aces. Freshman outside hitter Grace Duey (Tega Cay, S.C.) chipped in with nine digs, six kills, two assists and two blocks in the win.
Concord Individual Leaders
- Meg Williams had a team-high 14 digs, six digs, one assist and a block. Chloe Thompson added 12 kills and four digs for the Mountain Lions.
- Paige Richmond led Concord with 17 assists and also contributed 11 digs in the losing effort.
Up Next
- The Wasps get their South Atlantic Conference schedule underway tomorrow night when they play host to the Pioneers of Tusculum University. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., at the John Rutledge King Center.
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