HICKORY, N.C. – The Emory & Henry College Volleyball Team (10-17, 6-11 SAC) took an early 2-1 lead, but could not hold off Lenoir-Rhyne University (20-9, 14-4 SAC) as the Wasps fell in five sets Wednesday evening. The Bears won by scores of 25-19, 18-25, 23-25, 25-23 and 15-12.
The Basics
RESULTS – Lenoir-Rhyne 3, Emory & Henry 2 (25-19, 18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12)
LOCATION – Hickory, North Carolina
VENUE – John Lentz Court at Shuford Arena
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (10-17, 6-11 SAC); Lenoir-Rhyne (20-9, 14-4 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Bears ran out to an early lead in the opening set, as they established a 14-8 advantage. The Wasps responded by winning five straight points to draw within just a point. LR answered by winning nine of the following 11 to gain a lead they would not relinquish, taking the first set 25-19.
- LR once again held a narrow 12-11 lead to begin the second, but the Wasps bounced back with two separate five-point runs to jump ahead 21-15. E&H reached set point and utilized an attack error from the home squad to even the match with a 25-18 second-set win.
- The Bears came out roaring in the third frame as they took the first six points on their way to a 15-10 advantage at the midpoint. LR pushed the lead out to 17-10, but once again the Wasps answered with six of the following seven points to pull within two and force a Bears timeout. The teams continued to trade blows down the stretch and E&H reached another set point at 24-23. The Bears committed another error and the Wasps took the third set to establish a 2-1 match lead.
- The Wasps began the fourth set the same way they finished the third, running out to a 16-13 margin. The Bears settled in through the middle of the set and held a 23-20 lead, forcing an E&H timeout. The Wasps came out of the break with three straight points to even things up at 23-23. Two consecutive points by LR took the stanza to even the match and force a deciding fifth set.
- The fifth set was tightly-contested and the two squads were even at 7-7. The Bears would not be denied and took the set and match with a 15-12 win.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Sophomore outside hitter Julissa Hopgood (Lutz, Fla.) paced the Wasps with her third career double-double. Hopgood recorded 14 kills, 14 digs and a service ace while senior outside hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) had 12 kills, five digs and five blocks. Freshman outside hitter Grace Duey (Tega Cay, S.C.) had ten kills, six digs, four blocks and four service aces. Senior middle Hannah Watson (Kingsport, Tenn.) contributed eight kills, six blocks, a pair of digs and an assist.
- Sophomore setter Payton Rolfsen (Fort Wayne, Ind.) posted a double-double with 44 assists, 14 digs, four blocks, one kill and a service ace. Senior libero Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) went for 24 digs and five assists.
Lenoir-Rhyne Individual Leaders
- Emmaleigh Allen led all players with her double-double of 20 kills, 15 digs and a block. Kathy Peter had 14 kills, four digs, three blocks and three service aces while Aasia McNeal recorded a double-double with 12 kills, 18 digs and three blocks.
- Avery Dale registered a match-high 54 assists, 21 digs, four service aces, three kills and two blocks.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry returns home for its final regular season match of the year on Friday, November 10 as the Wasps take on the Bulldogs of Wingate University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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