ATLANTA — The Oglethorpe University volleyball team faced a tough test Wednesday night, falling 3-0 to nationally ranked Emory University at Dorough Field House. The Eagles, ranked No. 21 nationally, took the match in straight sets, 25-15, 25-22 and 25-17.
Oglethorpe finished with 18 kills, eight service aces, three blocks and 34 digs. Emory recorded 45 kills and hit .316, while the Petrels finished with a .086 hitting percentage.Â
Sarah Johnson and Jane Pennington led the Petrels offensively with five kills apiece. Johnson hit .308, recording five kills on 13 attacks with just one error, while Pennington added three assists and five digs. Madison Thompson contributed three kills and led Oglethorpe with three blocks.
Behind the service line, Lauryn Frazier and Abby Wheeler each recorded two aces, while Thompson and Adrianne Ryan added one apiece. Ryan led the defensive effort with eight digs, followed by Frazier, Wheeler and Ava Adams with five each.
The Petrels came out competing in the opening set, with Pennington and Thompson contributing kills as Oglethorpe worked to keep pace with the Eagles. Emory eventually created separation and took the set 25-15.
Oglethorpe responded in the second set with its closest stretch of the match. The Petrels generated four kills in the set and continued to pressure Emory, but the Eagles maintained their advantage late to secure a 25-22 win and take a 2-0 lead.
In the third set, Oglethorpe produced its strongest offensive performance of the night, recording 10 kills and hitting .200. Johnson and Pennington helped lead the attack as the Petrels looked to extend the match. Emory answered with 15 kills in the set, however, closing out the match with a 25-17 victory.
Despite the result, Oglethorpe showed improved offensive efficiency in the final set, committing just four errors while recording 10 kills. The Petrels also finished with eight service aces, led by Frazier and Wheeler, who each recorded two.
Match Notes
- Oglethorpe's 10 kills in the third set were its highest single-set total of the match.
- Sarah Johnson recorded a .308 hitting percentage, the highest among Oglethorpe players with multiple kills.
- Jane Pennington contributed three assists, tying her for the second-most assists among Petrels.
Up Next
Oglethorpe heads to Memphis, Tennessee, to face Rhodes and Millsaps in Southern Athletic Association matchups over the upcoming weekend.
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