From Emory University Athletics
The No. 1-ranked Emory volleyball team continued its winning ways on Friday, capturing its opening two matches at the University Athletic Association Championships. The Eagles opened with a 3-0 quarterfinal-round decision (25-14, 25-9, 25-14) over Brandeis before coming away with a 3-0 triumph over No. 22 Chicago (25-14, 25-16, 25-17) in the semifinals. The Eagles have won their last 20 contests (30 straight sets) and stand 32-2 on the year.
Emory hit a solid .386 (39-7—83) in the Brandeis match while limiting the Judges to a mark of .012 (19-18—84). Juniors Sarah Maher and Kathryn Trinka tied for match honors with nine kills apiece with Maher hitting .421 (9-1—19) and Trinka .400 (9-1—20), her third straight and fourth in the past five matches of .400 or better. Junior Shannon Nugent came through with an attack percentage of .636 on the strength of seven terminations with no errors in 11 swings. Senior Sydney Miles doled out 32 assists, four digs and three block assists to aid in the cause, while freshman Becky Breuer topped all players with 14 digs. The Eagles finished with a 43-29 advantage in digs and a 5-2 edge in total blocks.
The Eagles put on a clinic in the Chicago contest, hitting a blistering .388 (46-8—98) compared to the Maroons .097 (25-15—103). It represented the sixth straight match that Emory had registered a hitting effort of .300 or higher. Emory spread out its offensive attack masterfully with five players totaling eight or more kills. Trinka led all players with 10 kills, her 28th match of double figures this season, and hit .375 (10-1—24). Junior Jessica Holler finished with eight kills and hit .538 (8-1—13) while Maher (8-0—22, .364), Nugent (8-2—14, .429) and freshman Karissa Dzurik (8-2—15, .400) and finished with eight kills. Junior Sheridan Rice helped the Eagles to a 60-39 bulge in digs by recording a dozen, with Maher and Breuer each contributing 11. Miles accounted for 38 assists and added nine digs in the victory.
Emory will battle No. 3-ranked Washington University (31-2) in the title match on Saturday which is slated for a 1:00 pm start. The winner will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA D-III Tournament. It will mark the 12th straight season that the Eagles have played in the conference's championship contest. Wash U advanced after besting NYU in the quarterfinals and Case Western Reserve in the semifinals.