The No. 3-ranked Emory University volleyball team made a successful home debut on Friday by capturing its first two games of the Emory Classic.  The Eagles opened the day with a 3-0 triumph over Springfield College (25-21, 25-21, 26-24) before posting a 3-0 decision (25-17, 25-19, 25-19) over No. 19 Tufts.  The two wins boosted Emory's record to 8-0, the first such eight-game start for the program since 2001.

Sophomore Breanah Bourque turned in a huge effort in the Springfield match, leading all players with 13 kills while posting a glittering 63.2 hitting percentage (13-1—19). In addition to her offensive totals, Bourque chipped in a pair a service aces, three digs and seven block assists.  Junior Ali Wright contributed eight successful put-aways while senior Amelia McCall finished with seven.  Junior Natalie Schonefeld played a pair of sets and dished out 19 assists while sophomore Emily Reiser totaled 15.  Senior Kelsey Krzyston led all players with 12 digs.  The Eagles hit 28.3 percent (40-14—92) in the match compared to the Pride's mark of 11.4 percent (34-22—105).  Emory enjoyed a 39-33 edge in digs and 12-4 margin in total blocks.

Emory kept rolling in its second match of the day and used a sound defensive effort is subduing the Jumbos of Tufts. The Eagles limited the visitors to just to a .026 attack percentage (28-25—117) while checking in with a 23.4 percent (41-16—107) mark of their own.  Emory was tough at the net, registering nine total blocks with Bourque coming through with a pair of solo blocks to go along with five block assists.  McCall tied for match honors with 11 kills while sophomore Alena Ransom made the most of her attack attempts, finishing the affair with a 70.0 hitting percentage on the strength of seven kills in 10 opportunities.  Schonefeld came through with 32 assists and nine digs while senior Ana Ramirez picked up 14 digs.

The Eagles close out the Emory Classic on Saturday with a 1:00 p.m. match vs. Texas Lutheran and a 3:00 p.m. tilt against Saint Catherine.