The No. 3-ranked Emory University volleyball team closed out its weekend of Invitational play on Sunday with a thrilling come-from-behind five-set win over Susquehanna University.  The Eagles raised their overall record to 23-2 following a 25-23, 21-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-9 triumph over the No. 24 River Hawks who slipped to 27-5.

The Eagles closed out the afternoon hitting .188 (61-27—181), with their kills total the squad's second-highest output of the year, compared to SU's mark of .130 (53-29—184).  The River Hawks finished with an 81-80 edge in digs while Emory held a 10-9 advantage in total blocks.

Sophomore Tara Martin spearheaded the Emory attack with a career-high 17 kills, which tied for match honors, hitting .405 (17-2—37) in the process, while chipping in four block assists and six digs.  It represented Martin's 12^th performance of double-figure terminations this season.  Junior Leah Saunders came through with another double-double, her ninth of the season, placing second on the team's scoresheet  15 kills and logging 13 digs.  Senior Morgan McKnight rounded out the trio of double-figure terminators with 11 successful attack attempts.  Junior Finn Wilkins aided in the win with a team-high six (0-6) blocks and five kills.  Freshman setter Cassie Srb doled out 50 assists while senior Elyse Thompson dialed up 21 digs.

Trailing by a 2-1 count in the match, the Eagles faced 19-16 deficit in the fourth set but turned the tide of the contest by closing that game on a 9-2 burst, highlighted by three kills from Martin and a pair from Wilkins. With the deciding fifth set deadlocked at 5-5, the Eagles tallied six straight points, ignited by a Saunders' kills and furthered aided by a couple of terminations by Wilkins, to bolt to an 11-5 lead.  The River Hawks accounted for the next two points, but fell behind by a 13-7 count following an attack error and a service ace by Sara Carr.  McKnight eventually came through with match point for Emory, allowing it to notch its 12^th win at the Woodruff PE Center in as many outings this season.

Saunders was named MVP of the Invitational with McKnight and Thompson joining her on the all-tournament team.

The Eagles return to action next Friday (Nov. 1) when they host the opening day of the Emory National Invitational, battling No. 10 Berry in a 7:00 pm start.

Emory Invitational All-Tournament Team
Leah Saunders - Emory (MVP)
Morgan McKnight (Emory)
Lindsey Pugh (SU)
Sydney Portale (SU)
Megan Collantes (St. Mary's)
Elyse Thompson (Emory)