MT. BERRY, Ga. – Despite Women's Volleyball dropping a tough contest against #14 Emory, the Yellow Jackets paced the Eagles in blocks to secure an advantage in each of the three sets played.
Score: #14 Emory 3, Randolph-Macon 0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-17)
Venue: Cage Center
Records: Randolph-Macon (5-2, 1-0 ODAC), #14 Emory (5-1, 0-0 UAA)
How it Happened
- Allison Lach (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) started the scoring with a block and then tallied a kill on a feed from Caitlin Smith (Greensboro, N.C./Greensboro Day School) for an early 3-2 advantage. Smith went on to locate Avery Jastrzemski (Richmond, Va./Goochland) for two kills but a joint block from Emory helped it cap off a 5-0 run, reaching a 10-6 score. While Jastrzemski picked up her third kill, the Lemon and Black were forced to call a timeout trailing 8-13 as a result of an Eagle kill. EU earned a service ace out of the break, however, Lach followed with a kill and service ace of her own to keep the squad within five. A kill from Olivia Roark (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Country Day School), coupled with two from Olivia Leonard (Richmond, Va./The New Community School) fell short down the stretch, giving Emory a 25-16 set one win.
- RMC ignited set two on a 4-0 run, which included kills from Leonard and Jastrzemski, as well as a block between Lach and Ella Courtney (Arlington, Va./Wakefield). The Eagles responded well, as they used four kills during a six-point span to knot the contest, 6-6. The two programs were neck-and-neck, as they traded 3-0 and 2-0 runs respectively to reach an 11-11 score. Jastrzemski paced her team with a kill and ace, before Smith assisted Lach for two kills, keeping the contest level at 14. The Yellow Jackets were then forced into a timeout trailing 16-19, with the break in response to a 5-2 Eagle streak. Leonard fired back-to-back service aces to counter a 4-0 EU run out of the timeout but two kills from the Eagles helped them solidify a 25-20 set two victory.
- Two consecutive joint blocks between Courtney and Leonard helped pilot RMC to a 5-3 edge to begin set three The Eagles fought back on a 6-2 run to create a 7-9 lead, as Kennedi White had three kills. Emory extended its lead to 15-11 at the media timeout but a block between Courtney and Smith, followed by a service ace from the setter kept the team within four. Even though Leonard and Jastrzemski each tallied two kills, courtesy of Smith, RMC dropped the final set, 25-17. Down the stretch, both Courtney and Lach were able to drop kills in.
Inside the Numbers
- The Yellow Jackets led 10-to-four in blocks assists, while finishing up six-to-four in total blocks.
- Emory led in kills (39-to-29), assists (36-to-29) and digs (48-to-39).
- RMC held a three-to-zero advantage in service aces and two-to-zero edge in blocks during set two.
- Leonard tied for a team-high nine kills and also added a team-high two aces. Furthermore, she led the squad with 12 points.
- Jastrzemski joined Leonard with nine kills and also poured in a team-high 11 digs. She finished second on the team in points (10.5).
- Lach led RMC with a .208 hitting percentage and contributed six kills and six assists.
Up Next
Women's Volleyball finishes its time at the Berry Invitational with a tri-match on Saturday, September 19. RMC will take on Transylvania at 1:30 p.m., before battling #9 Berry at 4:00 p.m.
