From Emory University Athletics
The No. 9-ranked Emory volleyball team opened postseason play on a successful note Friday with a sweep of Meredith College in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Mount Berry Regional. The Eagles won for the 12th time in the last 13 outings and raised their record to 25-6 following a 25-11, 25-17, 25-17 verdict over the Avenging Angels who closed out their season at 23-5.
Freshman Tara Martin, named the University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year earlier in the week, and senior Sydney Leimbach combined for 21 of the Eagles' 41 kills in the match, with Martin tying her season high with 11 terminations while hitting .381 (11-3—21), and Leimbach posting an attack percentage of .588 on the strength of 10 kills with no errors in 17 swings. Sophomore Leah Saunders, the conference's Most Valuable Player, was next up on the team's scoresheet with eight kills while senior Karissa Dzurik chipped in seven.
The Eagles wrapped up the contest hitting .241 (41-14—112) compared to MC's mark of .140 (24-12—86), the 25th time this season they enjoyed an edge in that category. Emory held a slim 47-45 advantage in digs, with Saunders pacing the squad with 13, while Meredith finished with a 7-5 margin in total blocks. Emory used a strong serving game in coming away with the win, totaling a season-high 14 aces, its ninth match of the campaign in double digits. Junior Elyse Thompson and senior Mady Arles each came up with three aces to spearhead the serving effort, with Thompson chipping in 12 digs while Arles finished with 36 assists and three block assists.