From Emory University Athletics

Five members of the Emory volleyball program have been recognized for their outstanding play, culminating with recognition on the 2019 Division III All-America Team as chosen by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
 
Highlighting the group with a first-team selection is junior Leah Saunders (Simpsonville, SC). Saunders has come through with an excellent all-around campaign that has seen her compete in 119 of the team's 122 sets and average 3.18 kills per game, second on the team and third among University Athletic Association performers. Chosen as the South Region Player of the Year, Saunders is hitting .262 (379-159—841), good for the No. 12 spot on the conference chart, and has produced 20 contests with double-figure terminations.  She has led or shared for team honors in kills on 13 occasions and has dialed up three performances of 20 more successful attack attempts. A four-time UAA Player of the Week, her versatility has seen her post 16 outings of double-figure digs and 13 double-doubles (kills/digs). In addition, she has doled out 43 service aces, second on the team, and her 0.36 per-set average in that department slots her 11^th among UAA players. At this past weekend's NCAA Atlanta Regional she garnered a berth on the all-tournament team and was selected to all-tourney squads at the Emory Classic (MVP), Emory Invitational (MVP) and the East-To-West Battle.

An Honorable Mention All-American in 2017, senior Morgan McKnight (Manassas, VA) was selected to the second team.  The 5-foot-10 outside hitter has given the Eagles a consistent offensive threat with her average of 3.36 kills per set leading all UAA players. A three-time UAA Player of the Week this season, she claims 25 matches of double-figure kills (15 straight), and has paced or shared for the team lead in that department in 13 contests including all three of Emory's matches at the Atlanta Regional this past weekend where she was chosen as the Most Outstanding Player after averaging 5.0 kills and hitting .414 over 10 sets of play. Earlier this season, she became the 19^th player in program annals to reach the 1,000-career kills plateau and her current total of 1,211 stands 13^th on the program's all-time list.

Another weapon in the Emory attack, sophomore Tara Martin (Jacksonville Beach, FL) was afforded a second-team berth.  The 5-foot-9 Martin stands as the Eagles' leader with an attack percentage of .299 (363—103—869), good for ninth place on the UAA list. She is averaging 3.10 kills over 117 sets of action, good for the No. 4 spot among conference players, and has compiled 17 outings with 10 or more kills.  Her 25 terminations against Washington University in the semifinals of the UAA Championships represented a career high as well as the high-water mark by an Emory player during the season. A two-time UAA Player of the Week, Martin was named the MVP of the Emory National Invitational. Martin has led or shared for team honors in successful attack attempts in nine contests and has hit .300 or higher on 17 occasions. Career-wise, her average of 2.85 kills per set ranks 14^th on the school's career ladder.

Senior Elyse Thompson (Tallahassee, FL) and freshman Cassie Srb (Seabrook, TX) both played their way to honorable-mention recognition.  For Thompson, it represents her second straight honorable-mention selection.

Thompson has continued her role as the lynchpin of the Emory defense with her play at libero a key role in helping the Eagles limit their foes to a .141 hitting percentage.  A Second Team All-UAA honoree, Thompson has chalked up double-figure digs in 26 matches, including 11 of 20 or more.  She paces the team and stands fourth in the UAA with a 4.50 digs-per-set average, with that effort ranking eighth on the school's seasonal chart.  Earlier in the season she became the Eagles' all-time leader digs and currently has 1,825 to her credit.

A First Team All-UAA honoree and the South Region Freshman of the Year, Srb has directed a potent Emory attack that has seen the Eagles top the UAA and rank 11^th among all D-III teams with a .247 attack percentage.  The lone Eagle to have played in all of the team's 122 sets, Srb has doled out an average of 10.97 assists per game, second in the league and sixth nationally. She has chalked up seven matches of 50 or more assists, most recently at the Atlanta Regional when she finished with 53 against Transylvania.  She already holds down the No. 11 position on Emory's all-time ladder with 1,338 assists.

All five players will be recognized at the Division III Championship banquet held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Wednesday, November 20^th.