The Emory University volleyball program continues to capitalize on their momentum this season opening the annual Vikings Classic with wins against the Covenant College Scots and the Berry College Vikings on Friday afternoon in Mount Berry, Georgia.
 
The Eagles improve to 10-1 on the season with the win and remain undefeated on the road. Junior Kate LaRocco continues to be a dominating force for the Eagles totaling 30 kills on the day including a career-high 18 against Berry in the second match of the day. Fellow junior Olivia Rabinowitz also had an impressive match against the Vikings posting a season-high 40 assists.
 
Game 1: Emory 3, Covenant 1
 
The first few points of the first set were back and forth between the two teams with the Eagles holding a slight 4-3 lead over the Scots. Kills and service aces from LaRocco helped Emory pull away to a 10-5 lead before scoring five straight points taking advantage of attack errors from the Scots' offense. Covenant was able to score two more points following the run, but the Eagles ended the first set with a 10-3 run to take set one 25-10.
 
After another back and forth battle to start set two, the Scots pulled out a 7-5 run to hold a 9-4 lead over Emory. The next few points continued on each side of the net before Covenant took a 16-12 advantage halfway through the set. Highlighted by kills from LaRocco and junior Kaya Monrose, the Eagles tied the set at 16 apiece, but the Scots ended with a 9-5 run to take the second set of the match 25-21.
 
Sophomore Sophia Luo and senior Madison Cail opened the third set swinging helping Emory into a 4-4 tie before kills from senior Jessica Majka gave the Eagles a 10-6 lead. The next 10 points of the set were even on both sides of the net followed by attack errors from the Scots' offense helping the Eagles hold a 20-15 advantage. Despite three straight points from Covenant, Emory carried the momentum to the end of the set with a 25-20 line needing a win in set four to clinch the match.
 
The Scots came out strong in the fourth set taking a 5-2 lead before the Eagles scored three points to tie the set. After Covenant posted two more points, Emory scored nine straight points to double their lead 14-7. The Scots looked for a comeback but the effort fell short and the Eagles clinched the match with a 25-17 win in set four.
 
Game 2: Emory 3, Berry 1

Despite two opening points from the Vikings, the Eagles followed with nine straight points highlighted by five kills from LaRocco and Luo. Berry followed the run with a 5-2 run of their own but Emory continued the momentum with four straight points for a 15-7 advantage. The scoring party continued with the Eagles posting seven points on kills from Cail, Luo and Majka before ending the set with a 25-12 win.
 
The Vikings were ready to answer in the second set taking a quick 7-2 lead over Emory before posting a 4-2 run for an 11-5 advantage. The Eagles were able to post two more points but the scoring train took off for the Vikings posting 10 straight points to take a 21-7 lead. Emory answered with eight more points in the match but Berry took set two with a 25-15 line.
 
Both teams were looking for a battle in the third set with a tied set at six apiece but three kills from the Vikings gave them a slight 9-6 advantage. The Eagles were able to tie the set again but Berry was ready for the fight scoring three more points for the lead. The Vikings were able to hold onto their lead for most of the set before Emory fought their way back to tie the set at 18 apiece. After Berry took a 23-19 lead, the Eagles posted six straight points highlighted by LaRocco and sophomore Sophie Zerrouki to take set three 25-23.
 
With the Eagles needing a set win to clinch the match, the Vikings were looking to force a fifth set in the match and started set four with a 4-2 lead. The next few points went back and forth between the teams and Berry took their final lead of the set at 8-7. Emory followed with an 8-3 run to take a 15-11 advantage halfway through the set. The back and forth battle continued between both teams but the Eagles were able to clinch the set and the match with a 25-18 win.
 
The Eagles will return to the court tomorrow for day two of the Vikings Classic where they will face Centre College at 11:00 AM.