From Emory University Athletics
The No. 11-ranked Emory volleyball team wrapped up an impressive first day of play at the University Athletic Association Championships on Friday by sweeping Carnegie Mellon University in the semifinals. The Eagles boosted their overall record to 23-6 following a 27-25, 25-16, 25-16, verdict over the Tartans who slipped to 22-9. Serving as the host for the Championships is the University of Rochester.
Senior Karissa Dzurik and sophomore Leah Saunders combined for 26 of Emory's 42 kills, with Dzurik racking up a match-best 15 terminations (her 20th double-figure effort of the season) en route to a .314 hitting percentage (15-4—35) and Saunders registering a .417 attack percentage on the strength of 11 kills with just one error in 24 swings. Saunders chipped in 10 digs, enabling her to post her fourth double-double (kills/digs) of the year, and also tied her season high with four blocks.
The Eagles employed a strong serving effort in securing the win, finishing with a season-high tying 12 aces which represented the eighth time this year that they recorded double digits in that department. Junior Elyse Thompson and senior Becky Breuer each doled out three aces with Thompson pacing the squad with 16 digs and Breuer totaling a season-high 12.
Emory finished with the superior hitting percentage for the 23rd time this season, checking in with a showing of .284 (42-11—109) vs. CMU's .208 (40-13—130). The Eagles also closed out the contest with advantages in both digs (64-53) and total blocks &-4), with sophomore Finn Wilkins topping all players with five in the latter category.