EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Volleyball Team (3-18, 2-10 SAC) swept Winston-Salem State University (9-11, 5-4 CIAA) by a 3-0 score Tuesday evening in non-conference play. The Wasps took the decision by scores of 28-26, 25-23 and 25-19.
The contest served as E&H's annual Dig Pink match with donations benefitting the Side-Out Foundation. Emory & Henry raised nearly $1,500 prior to the contest (a program record), with additional donations remaining to be processed as of Tuesday night.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 3, Winston-Salem State 0 (28-26, 25-23, 25-19)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Bob Johnson Court at John Rutledge Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (3-18, 2-10 SAC); Winston-Salem State (9-11, 5-4 CIAA)
How It Happened
- The visiting Rams started the match on the front foot, as they jumped out to an early 10-6 lead. Winston-Salem State would increase their lead to five at the 15-10 mark. The Wasps responded with a five point run to tie things up at 15-15 and force a Rams timeout. The remainder of the set was a tight and hard-fought affair, as E&H had to fight off set point on three different occasions. The Wasps were able to close out the Rams in the opening frame by a 28-26 score.
- E&H flipped the script for the second set as they established an early 10-6 lead in their favor. The Rams would close within one point at 12-11 until another five point run by the Wasps pushed the advantage to six. The Wasps had the set at 24-18 before a five point run in favor of the Rams tightened things up until E&H was able to take the set by the narrow 25-23 margin.
- The third set opened up as a back-and-forth affair, as the two teams were tied on nine different occasions leading to an 18-18 score. The Wasps would take seven of the final eight points to win the set and the match by the 25-19 scoreline.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Junior outside hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) had 11 kills and three digs while freshman outside hitter Julissa Hopgood (Lutz, Fla.) posted nine kills, 13 digs, two blocks, three service aces and an assist.
- Freshman outside hitter/setter Payton Rolfsen (Fort Wayne, Ind.) had a match-high 21 assists along with six digs and a service ace while sophomore setter Paige Halcrow (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) had 12 assists, two kills and eight digs.
- Junior libero Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) had 12 digs, four assists and a service ace to pace the Wasps.
Winston-Salem State Individual Leaders
- Sanaa Lanier led the Rams with 10 kills, nine digs and two blocks while teammate Raven Gray added six kills, two digs and two blocks.
- Kaylen McClinton had a team-high 13 assists in addition to her five digs and two kills.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry will return to South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday at home against Catawba College. First serve is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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