EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Volleyball Team (8-14, 4-8 SAC) fell in non-conference action to North Greenville University (21-5, 12-2 Carolinas) by a 3-1 scoreline on Wednesday evening. The Crusaders took the win by scores of 25-22, 20-25, 25-18, 25-22.
The Basics
RESULTS – North Greenville 3, Emory & Henry 1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-18, 25-22)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (8-14, 4-8 SAC); North Greenville (21-5, 12-2 Carolinas)
How It Happened
- The first set was tightly-contested and the squads were all level at 14-14 at the midpoint. The Wasps created a window of separation in the late stages as they took a 22-20 advantage. The Crusaders won the final five points to take the opener 25-22.
- The second frame was another close affair that saw six ties and four lead changes. The Wasps held the narrow lead at 20-19 and won five of the final six to even the match at one set apiece. Back-to-back kills from freshman right-side hitter Marli Watkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) and junior middle Samantha Worthy (Arden, N.C.) clinched the 25-20 win for E&H.
- The Crusaders led the entire way in the third set as they rolled to a 25-18 win to jump ahead two sets to one.
- NGU established an early 8-4 margin, but E&H stormed back to draw within one at 11-10. The teams continued to trade blows and the score sat even at 16-16 midway through the fourth. The Crusaders would not be denied and posted an attack percentage of .429 to take the set and match by a 25-22 score.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Junior outside hitter Sophia Kaiser (Stafford, Va.) led the Wasps with 16 kills, four digs, one block, one assist and a service ace. Sophomore middle Julissa Hopgood (Lutz, Fla.) posted 12 kills, four blocks and three digs.
- Sophomore setter Payton Rolfsen (Fort Wayne, Ind.) had a double-double with a team-high 42 assists, 11 digs, three service aces, one block and a kill. Senior libero Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) contributed a match-high 18 digs, one assist and a service ace.
North Greenville Individual Leaders
- Abigail Durham paced the Crusaders with 18 kills, 15 digs, six service aces, three blocks and an assist. Anna Fiddelke added 17 kills and a pair of blocks while Elena Dyer posted 14 kills and four digs.
- Ashlyn Conner recorded a match-high 50 assists, 14 digs and a service ace in the winning effort.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry returns to South Atlantic Conference play on Friday, October 27 when they play host to the Eagles of Carson-Newman University. The match will also serve as Senior Day for the Wasps. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
---E&H---