The No. 8-ranked Emory volleyball team closed out the regular-season portion of the home schedule in a resounding manner on Saturday with a pair of victories at its National Invitational.  The Eagles opened with a 3-0 verdict (25-17, 25-15, 25-6) over Washington and Lee before posting a similar score over Berry College, 25-15, 25-23, 25-16.  Emory has won its last four outings and stands 26-5 on the year.  

Emory recorded a solid .337 (46-11—104) attack percentage against W&L, while limiting the Generals to a mark of .078 (21-13—103).  The Eagles employed a balanced offensive attack, led by senior Kathryn Trinka's 10 kills.  Freshman Morgan McKnight totaled nine terminations and hit .375 (9-3—16) while senior Sarah Maher contributed eight successful attack attempts, a .538 hitting percentage (8-1—13) and 10 digs. Jessica Holler aided in the victory with eight kills.  Junior Hannah Billings and sophomore Mady Arles dished out 21 and 13 assists, respectively, while sophomore Becky Breuer came through with a match-high 23 digs.

A stout defensive effort that saw Emory hold Berry to a .079 hitting effort (25-16—114) played key role in the Eagles raising their home record to 13-1. Emory held a 62-46 edge in digs and was led in that category by freshman Sara Carr's dozen. Offensively, sophomore Sydney Leimbach produced a match-high 13 kills, her seventh double-figure effort of the season, while hitting .409 (13-4—22). McKnight terminated 11 balls and hit .320 (11-3—25), with Trinka adding to the cause with 10 kills.  Billings came through with an all-around performance, chalking up 21 digs and 11 digs

Emory returns to action on Friday (Nov. 4) when it is slated to play New York University in the quarterfinals of the University Athletic Association Championships. Hosting the Championships will be Washington University. 

Emory National Invitational All-Tournament Team

Jessica Holler (Emory) -- MVP
Hannah Billings (Emory)
Sarah Maher (Emory)
Hannah Kate Thompson (Berry)
Morgan Lowe (Susquehanna)
Meg Guigon (Washington & Lee)
Morgan McKnight (Emory)
Kate Isaksen (Clarkson)