NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Volleyball Team (5-23, 2-16 SAC) wrapped up the 2024 season with a loss to Newberry College (9-14, 6-12 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference play Saturday evening. The Wolves earned the win by set scores of 25-22, 26-24, 19-25 and 26-24.
The Basics
RESULTS – Newberry 3, Emory & Henry 1 (25-22, 26-24, 19-25, 26-24)
LOCATION – Newberry, South Carolina
VENUE – Eleazer Arena
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-22, 2-15 SAC); Newberry (8-14, 5-12 SAC)
How It Happened
- Newberry started the match hot as they took the early 8-2 lead. The Wasps slowly gained traction and worked their way back within four at 20-16. E&H continued to battle through the deciding points of the set and a kill from fifth-year outside hitter Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) trimmed the deficit to just a point at 23-22. The Wolves won the final two points to jump ahead in the match 1-0.
- The Wasps were the aggressors in the second stanza, and an 8-1 run through the middle of the frame gave the visitors from Emory a 14-7 margin. Newberry responded immediately with eight consecutive and 10 of the next 11 points to take the lead at 17-15. The two teams went back-and-forth down the stretch and E&H reached set point at 24-21. The Wolves would rattle off five straight points to take the set 26-24.
- The first few points of the third set were evenly-contested and the teams stood all square at 9-9. A 6-1 Newberry spurt saw the Wolves take the lead, but the Wasps struck back with wins on seven of the following eight chances to retake the lead 17-16. Newberry won three straight to make it 19-17 until the Wasps exploded for eight straight, capped off with a kill from Hogan to earn the set win 25-19.
- After an early 6-6 tie, the Wasps posted six of the next seven to establish a 12-7 margin. Newberry would not roll over and battled back to slice the deficit to a pair at 18-16. E&H settled down through the latter stages and a kill by freshman outside hitter Taylor Kelly (Hickory, N.C.) gave the Wasps another set point. The Wolves were just too much on the evening as they won the final five points to take the set and match 26-24.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Hogan ended her Emory & Henry career with a big game, setting a career-high with 22 kills, one block and a dig. Kelly also had a career-high and first career double-double with 13 kills, 11 digs, three service aces and an assist. Sophomore front row Grace Duey (Tega Cay, S.C.) finished with seven kills, three digs, two blocks and a pair of assists. Freshman middle Abigail Leo (Charlotte, N.C.) recorded seven kills, one block and an assist.
- Freshman setter Zoie Pace (Collinsville, Va.) registered her third career double-double and set her own career-high with 43 assists, 11 digs, four kills, two service aces and a block. Senior libero Grace Nelson (Murphy, N.C.) registered a match-high 26 digs, two assists and two service aces while fifth-year defensive specialist Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) had 15 digs, three assists and a service ace.
Newberry Individual Leaders
- Kate Brown paced Newberry with a double-double of 14 kills, 11 digs and a service ace. Samantha Shaffer added 13 kills, five digs, two blocks and an assist. Anna Hapner finished with six kills and a block.
- Annie Dill had a team-high 29 assists, seven digs and three service aces while Giovanna Ravanhani recorded 14 assists, five digs, two kills and a service ace.
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