BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – It was a true team effort from the Emory & Henry University Volleyball Team (1-4) Tuesday evening as every available player saw action in the Wasps' first victory of the 2024 season. E&H picked up a 3-0 sweep over Bluefield State University (1-4) to get the Wasps in the win column. The visitors from Emory defeated the Big Blue by scores of 25-16, 25-21 and 25-22.

The Basics
RESULTS – Emory & Henry 3, Bluefield State 0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-22)
LOCATION – Bluefield, West Virginia
VENUE – Ned E. Shott Gym
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-4, 0-0 SAC); Bluefield State (1-4, 0-0 CIAA)

How It Happened
- The Wasps took control early, as they established a 15-8 advantage at the midpoint of the opening frame. The Big Blue managed to close the gap to four at 20-16 but E&H responded by rattling off five consecutive points, capped off by back-to-back kills from junior middle Gracyn Miller (Lilburn, Ga.), to take the opener by a 25-16 scoreline.
- The second frame was a tight affair with both teams capitalizing on errors as the score stood level at 15-15. A Wasp rally through the middle stages saw the visitors push their lead out to 20-16, but BSU would not go quietly as they narrowed the deficit to just a pair at 22-20. Once again E&H came up clutch in the deciding points as senior outside hitter Sophia Kaiser (Stafford, Va.) slammed down a pair of kills to take the set 25-21 and push the Wasps' lead to two sets to none.
- The two squads went back and forth to start the third set and the score was tied 8-8 early on. The Wasps kicked into gear in the middle stages with a 5-0 run to give themselves some breathing room at 13-8. E&H continued to put BSU under pressure and maintained a five-point advantage heading down the home stretch of the frame. The Big Blue mounted a rally with four straight facing match point, but the Wasps were the beneficiary of one final attack error to clinch the set and the match by a 25-22 margin.

Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Junior setter Logan Newberry (Glade Spring, Va.) paced the Emory & Henry squad with five kills, 12 assists, and five digs. Fifth-year outside hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) and sophomore front row Grace Duey (Tega Cay, S.C.) added five kills and a dig each, while Miller finished with three kills, one dig and a block.
- Senior defensive specialist Grace Nelson (Murphy, N.C.) posted a team-high nine digs and a service ace. Freshman setter Mollee Cutshall (Blountville, Tenn.) had four assists, three digs and service ace in addition to fellow freshman setter Zoie Pace's (Collinsville, Va.) three digs and three assists.

Bluefield State Individual Leaders
- Jannice Lynch led Bluefield State with 11 kills, four digs and a block while Soniya Garner contributed seven kills, three digs, one block and a service ace. Gabby Hale finished with a match-high 26 assists, eight digs, two kills, one block and a service ace.

Up Next
- The Wasps get their 2024 home schedule underway this Friday, September 13 when they play host to the Warriors of Southern Wesleyan University for Youth Night. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center. 

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