EMORY, Va. – The Catawba Volleyball Team (4-18, 2-13 SAC) outlasted Emory & Henry University (5-20, 2-13 SAC) in a five-set South Atlantic Conference thriller Friday evening. The Lady Catawba Indians bested the Wasps by set scores of 26-24, 21-25, 25-23, 24-26 and 15-10. The Wasps honored the senior class of Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.), Sophia Kaiser (Stafford, Va.), Grace Nelson (Murphy, N.C.), Baylee Reasor (Christiansburg, Va.), Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) and Hannah Watson (Kingsport, Tenn.) prior to the match.
The Basics
RESULTS – Catawba 3, Emory & Henry 2 (26-24, 21-25, 25-23, 24-26, 15-10)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-20, 2-13 SAC); Catawba (4-18, 2-13 SAC)
How It Happened
- The teams traded points early in the opening set and Catawba clung to a slim 12-11 advantage. The visitors rattled off eight of the following 10 points to open up their lead and force an E&H timeout. Catawba held the 23-16 lead, but the Wasps responded with seven consecutive points to tie the match at 23-23. The Lady Catawba Indians came up with three of the next four scoring chances to take the opener by a 26-24 score.
- The second frame was another close affair and the squads were all level at 14-14. Catawba took seven of the next 11 to give themselves another lead at 21-18. The Wasps exploded for seven straight, capped off on a kill from junior setter Logan Newberry (Glade Spring, Va.) to even the match at one set apiece with the 25-21 set scoreline.
- Catawba took control early on in the third frame as they ran out an 11-5 lead. E&H struck back with five of the next six to draw within a pair, but again Catawba rallied to increase their margin back out to 18-12. The match of rallies continued as the Wasps tallied eight of the following 10 points to level things at 20-20. The score stood at 23-23, but the visitors capitalized on a Wasp error and a kill to take the set 25-23.
- The fourth set was close once more and the teams once again were all square at 14-14. The Wasps took four of the next six to establish a 18-16 lead, but the visitors answered back with seven straight to make it 23-18. The Wasps would not go down without a fight as they erupted for six consecutive to reach set point. After a point won by Catawba, back-to-back kills from junior middle Gracyn Miller (Lilburn, Ga.) and Hogan clinched the stanza 26-24 and forced a deciding fifth set.
- The Wasps jumped ahead early and had the narrow 8-6 margin at the midpoint. Catawba responded with nine of the final 11 points to take control and closed out the match 15-10.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Hogan led the offensive attack for the Wasps as she posted a double-double of 14 kills, 19 digs, three service aces, two blocks and an assist. Hogan also set a new E&H program record for attack attempts in a match with 70. Junior outside hitter Julissa Hopgood (Lutz, Fla.) added a double-double with 10 kills, 20 digs and a service ace while sophomore front row Grace Duey (Tega Cay, S.C.) had eight kills, three digs and a pair of blocks.
- Nelson recorded a career-high 39 digs, three assists and a service ace. Newberry registered 23 assists, six digs and a pair of kills while freshman setter Zoie Pace (Collinsville, Va.) had a double-double of 17 assists, 11 digs and three service aces.
Catawba Individual Leaders
- Sofia Beard had a big night as she led all players with 25 kills, seven digs and three blocks. Kelcie Love added 17 kills and two digs while Katie Clark had eight kills, five blocks and a pair of digs. Sydney Wattles finished with nine kills, four digs, three blocks and an assist.
- Haley Moffett recorded a double-double with a match-high 49 assists, 16 digs, two service aces and a kill. Riley Hill had a match-high 42 digs and six assists.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry wraps up its 2024 home schedule on Tuesday, November 12 when they host Lenoir-Rhyne University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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