EMORY, Va. – The Limestone University (4-4, 3-2 SAC) overcame an early two-set deficit to reverse sweep Emory & Henry University (2-11, 0-6 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference action Friday evening. The Saints took the win by scores of 22-25, 19-25, 25-19, 25-13 and 15-10.
The Basics
RESULTS – Limestone 3, Emory & Henry 2 (22-25, 19-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-10)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-11, 0-6 SAC); Limestone (4-4, 3-2 SAC)
How It Happened
- The opening set was a battle of runs as Limestone posted an early 4-1 rally to jump ahead 9-4. E&H responded with five of the next seven to draw back within a pair at 11-9. The set saw 11 ties and the squads stood level at 19-19 heading down the stretch. A quick pair of points for the Wasps was answered with three straight from the Saints for a 22-21 for the visitors, but E&H rattled off four straight capped off on a kill from fifth-year middle Hannah Watson (Kingsport, Tenn.) to seal the 25-22 win.
- The Wasps ran out to a 9-4 advantage in the beginning stages, but the Saints posted seven straight to leapfrog into the lead at 11-9. E&H bounced back again with six of the following seven for a 16-12 margin. The Wasps gave themselves some breathing room through the deciding points of the frame and finished off with four consecutive, including another emphatic kill from Watson to take the set 25-19.
- Limestone took the initiative in the third set as they established a 15-11 advantage at the midpoint. E&H managed to close the gap to two at 18-16, but the visitors from Gaffney ended on a 7-3 run to win the third frame 25-19.
- The Saints turned it on in the fourth set as they led the entire way, ballooning their margin out to as many as 14 on their way to a 25-13 win to force a deciding fifth set.
- The squads went back and forth to begin the fifth set and could not be separated as the score was level at 7-7. Once again the Saints took over in the latter stages by way of a 6-1 run. Limestone clinched the set and the match 15-10.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Fifth-year outside hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) led the offense for the fourth consecutive match with 14 kills, three digs and a block. Junior middle Gracyn Miller (Lilburn, Ga.) had nine kills, six blocks, four digs and an assist while sophomore front row Grace Duey (Tega City, S.C.) 11 kills, five digs and three digs. Junior outside hitter Julissa Hopgood (Lutz, Fla.) recorded 12 kills, nine digs, one block and an assist.
- Fifth-year libero Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) posted a double-double of 29 digs, 13 assists and a service ace. Junior setter Logan Newberry (Glade Spring, Va.) had a double-double of her own with 14 digs, 13 assists, two kills and a service ace in addition to freshman setter Zoie Pace (Collinsville, Va.) with 15 assists, eight digs and a service ace.
Limestone Individual Leaders
- Mia McMillen registered a double-double of 15 kills, 15 digs, two assists and a service ace while Josie Curran added 14 kills, six digs, two blocks and an assist. Jana Price finished with 16 kills, six digs and one block.
- Jenna Szabelski had a match-high 31 assists, 12 digs, one service ace and a kill.
Up Next
- The Wasps will be back at home on Tuesday, October 8 against Tusculum University for Blue & Gold Night. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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