TUSCULUM, Tenn. – The Tusculum University Volleyball Team (4-6, 2-0 SAC) defeated Emory & Henry University (1-8, 0-3 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference action Friday night. The Pioneers earned the victory by scores of 25-22, 25-11 and 26-24.
The Basics
RESULTS – Tusculum 3, Emory & Henry 0 (25-22, 25-11, 26-24)
LOCATION – Tusculum, Tennessee
VENUE – Pioneer Arena
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-8, 0-3 SAC); Tusculum (4-6, 2-0 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Pioneers took the initiative in the opening set as they ran out to an early 10-4 advantage, forcing an E&H timeout. They maintained their cushion through the middle stages as the teams traded points and the score stood at 20-14 heading into the deciding part of the frame. Tusculum reached set point at 24-18, but the Wasps would not go quietly as they rattled off four straight capped off by a service ace from sophomore defensive specialist Avery Zuckerwar (Riner, Va.). TU managed to close out the set 25-22 to take the 1-0 lead.
- TU once again began the stanza on the front foot, winning the opening four points on their way to a 15-6 margin at the midpoint. The home team continued to pour it on throughout the set as they posted a .500 hitting percentage to take the frame 25-11 and push the advantage out to two sets to none.
- The Wasps flipped the script in the third set as they overcame an early 3-0 deficit to hold a 15-10 lead. The Pioneers would respond with a 9-2 run to jump ahead 19-17. E&H showed fight down the stretch with five straight points and seven of the following eight to reach set point at 24-22. The Pioneers seemed to have an answer for every Emory & Henry run on the evening however, as they took the final four points to clinch the set and match 26-24.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Sophomore front row Haley Harnichar (Sevierville, Tenn.) was the offensive leader for the Wasps as she had a team-high eight kills, a career-high seven blocks, one dig and an assist. Senior outside hitter Sophia Kaiser (Stafford, Va.) added four kills, two digs, a block and an assist while fifth-year outside hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) contributed four kills and a block of her own.
- Fifth-year libero Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) had a team-high 18 digs and a pair of assists. Freshman setter Zoie Pace (Collinsville, Va.) registered a career-high 13 assists and seven digs while fellow freshman setter Mollee Cutshall (Blountville, Tenn.) chipped in with seven assists and four digs.
Tusculum Individual Leaders
- Addison McLarty led the Pioneers with a match-high 20 kills, eight digs and one block while Martina Foster posted 10 kills, three digs, two service aces and a block.
- Amiranee Au had a match-high 20 digs, seven assists and a service ace. Jordyn Anderson recorded 13 digs, three assists and a kill in the win.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry returns home on Sunday, September 22 as the Wasps step out of SAC play to take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University. First serve is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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