The No. 4-ranked Emory volleyball team closed out a productive weekend at the Emory Volleyball Classic on Saturday with two victories.  The Eagles breezed to a 3-0 win (25-13, 25-13, 25-14) over Averett University in the morning before subduing Berry College in the afternoon by a 3-1 margin (25-27, 25-17, 25-16, 25-12).  The two triumphs boosted Emory's record to 8-1.

Emory head coach Jenny McDowell employed her bench against the Cougars of Averett with that decision paying dividends as the Eagles turned in a .376 (42-10—85) hitting percentage compared to their foe's effort of .105 (21-12—86).   Sophomore Leah Jacobs (Linville, VA) keyed Emory's offensive effort with a match-high 11 kills, her second-highest career total, while registering a .440 (11-0—25) hitting mark.   Sophomore Cat McGrath (St. Louis, MO) clubbed out nine terminations en route to a classy .615 attack percentage (9-1—13).   The Eagles concluded the contest with a 47-30 cushion in digs and were paced in that department by freshman Ashley Crawford (Naperville, IL) who totaled 10. 

Fresh off a rousing come-from-behind win over Transylvania in its first match of the day, Berry jumped the Eagles in the first set and took a 1-0 lead in the match.  However, Emory regrouped and stifled the Vikings' upset bid, limiting them to just a .009 hitting mark over the final three sets on the contest.  Senior Breanah Bourque hit a blazing .560, her third match of 50 percent or better this season, blasting away for a season-high 15 kills while picking up a team-high four blocks (1-3).  Sophomore Kate Bowman accounted for 13 successful put-aways and totaled 13 digs, her fourth straight double-double (kills/digs).   McGrath recorded another efficient hitting performance, chalking up nine kills with no errors in 16 opportunities in manufacturing a .562 attack percentage.  For the match, the Eagles hit .266 (57-19—143) compared to Berry's .060 (36-27—149) and finished with a 72-53 bulge in digs, led by freshman Taylor Erwins's 17.

Next up for Emory will be a trip to San Antonio where it will compete at the Trinity National Invitational next Friday and Saturday (Sept. 14-15).


EMORY CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Breanah Bourque – MVP (Emory)
Alex Duhl  (Emory)
Kate Bowman (Emory)
Kaiti Watcher (St. Thomas)
Nicole Potts (St. Thomas)
Katie O'Rourke (Berry)
Meghan Bowers (Transylvania)