From Emory University Athletics
The No. 2-ranked Emory volleyball closed out a solid weekend of action on Saturday, winning its final two matches at the Calvin Labor Day Weekend Invitational. The Eagles went 4-0 at the Invitational and raised their overall record to 5-0 following a 3-1 victory (25-17, 21-25, 25-14, 25-17) against Defiance followed by a 3-0 triumph (25-19, 25-14, 25-7) over John Carroll University.
After coming away with a Friday evening win over No. 1-ranked Calvin, the Eagles got right back into action early Saturday morning against the Yellow Jackets of Defiance.
Junior Kathryn Trinka pounded out a career-best 16 kills in the win while turning in a .314 attack percentage (16-5—35). Junior Shannon Nugent hit a scorching .846 on the strength of 11 terminations with no errors in 13 swings, while junior Sarah Maher totaled 10 successful attack attempts while contributing 11 digs. Senior setter Sydney Miles doled out 46 assists and chipped in eight digs. The Eagles hit .336 (53-15—113) compared to .075 (34-24—133) for Defiance, and enjoyed a decisive 63-43 margin in digs, with junior Sheridan Rice and freshman Becky Breuer finishing with 15 and 14, respectively.
Emory closed out the day with an impressive display against the Blue Streaks of John Carroll, hitting .327 (45-9—110) while limiting JCU to .083, the fourth time in five matches this year that the Eagles had held the opposition to less than .100. Trinka tied for match honors with 11 kills, her fifth straight match of double figures, and was complemented by Maher's 10 terminations. Miles distributed 39 assists and chipped in 11 digs. Senior Ashley Crawford dished out five service aces in helping Emory to an 8-1 edge in that department.
The Eagles return to action next Friday (Sept. 11) when it hosts the first day of the Emory Classic. Emory will take on Covenant College at 5:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. tilt vs. Johns Hopkins.
NOTE -- Sydney Miles and Sarah Maher were the Emory representatives on the Calvin Labor Day Weekend Invitational All-Tournament Team ... Maher averaged 3.29 kills and 2.86 digs per set and hit .287 (46-13--115) ... Miles averaged 11.93 assists per set with her play helping Emory hit a fine .307 (197-53--469) over the four matches.