The No. 4-ranked Emory volleyball team boosted its winning streak to seven matches after posting a pair of victories Friday evening on the opening day of the Emory Classic.  The Eagles rolled by Transylvania by a 3-0 count (25-10, 25-15, 25-20) before battling to a 3-1 verdict (25-23, 28-30, 30-28, 25-22) over #21 UW-Whitewater.  Emory stands 9-1 on the year.

The Eagles hit a season-best .421 vs. Transylvania while a solid defensive effort held the Pioneers to just .087 (30-22—92).  Senior Leah Jacobs and sophomore Jessica Holler each totaled nine kills to lead the squad in that category with Holler hitting .667 (9-1—12) and Jacobs registering a .471 effort (9-1—17).  Sophomore Shannon Nugent chipped in seven terminations while adding three block assists.   Junior setter Sydney Miles doled out 27 assists and added three service aces in the victory.  Sophomore Sheridan Rice tied for team honors with 10 digs.

The match between UWW and the Eagles in the nightcap had the feel of a postseason encounter with both teams slugging it out for nearly two hours.   Sophomore Sarah Maher keyed the Emory offense with a career-high tying 15 kills, finishing the night with a .429 hitting performance (15-3—28).  Jacobs responded with 14 kills, her seventh outing of the campaign with double-figure terminations, and concluded the match with a .355 attack percentage (14-3—31).  Holler came through with nine kills, a 368 hitting percentage (9-2—19) and seven (2-5) total blocks.  Miles registered 37 assists while senior Kate Bowman led the Eagles with 15 digs.  Emory hit .303 (55-15—132) compared to UWW's showing of .227 (61-27—150).

Emory winds up action in the Classic on Saturday with matches vs. Randolph-Macon (2:00 pm) and Bowdoin (4:30 pm).