Emory Volleyball Preps For Juniata Tournament

GUISLER FACTS –  After winning three of four matches at the University Athletic Association Round Robin II last weekend, the Emory volleyball team faces a formidable Challenge this Friday and Saturday (Oct. 22-23) when it plays at Juniata College’s Wid Guisler Invitational.  On Friday, Emory will tangle with Juniata in an 8:00 p.m., start. On Saturday, the Eagles battle nationally ranked Eastern University at 1:00 p.m., and Williams College at 3:00 p.m. 

THE COACHES – Emory Head Coach Jenny McDowell (Georgia, ’89) is in her 15th year at the helm of the Eagles’ program.  During her stint at Emory, McDowell has posted a school and career won-lost ledger of 460-122.  She has 11 campaigns of 30 or more wins and has directed the program to 14 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.  She guided Emory to its first-ever national title in 2008 and was named as the AVCA National Coach of the Year.

Juniata College is led by Larry Brock (Penn State, 1971), who is in his 33rd campaign as head coach. Following a Tuesday evening win against California (PA),  Brock has a school and career record of 1206-185 with his victory total tops all-time of any NCAA women’s volleyball coach, regardless of division.  A five-time AVCA “National Coach of the Year”,  Brock has guided Juniata to national titles in 2004 and 2006.

In his 21st season as the head coach at Eastern University is Mark Birtwistle.  After a win over Wilkes on Tuesday, Birtwistle has compiled an impressive 490-178 won-lost ledger.  He has directed the program to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances including five trips to the Round of 16.

Christi Kelsey (Purdue, 2000) is in her second year calling the shots for the Williams College program.  Last year, Kelsey guided the Ephs to a 23-9 record and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.  She will head into the weekend with a school and career mark of 39-16.

2010 RECORDS – Emory, ranked No. 4 among Division III teams, stands 20-4 in overall play (6-1 UAA).  Last weekend, the Eagles defeated three of four conference foes at the UAA Round Robin II hosted by Brandeis. Emory came out on the short end of a tough 3-2 decision to then No. 1 ranked Washington University in its opening match before registering a 3-0 triumph over Rochester.  On Sunday, the Eagles topped Brandeis, 3-0, and Chicago, 3-1.

Juniata, ranked No. 1, meets Emory with a mark of 23-3. Last evening (Tuesday), the Eagles came away with their sixth straight victory when they topped Division II member California (Pa.), 3-0.

Ranked No. 5 in this week’s AVCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, Eastern boosted their overall record to 22-1 with a 3-0 victory over Wilkes on Tuesday.

SERIES RECORDS – Juniata College stands 9-2 against Emory.  The last meeting took place a year ago with Juniata posting a 3-1 win at the Christopher Newport Invitational.

Saturday’s meeting between Emory and Eastern will represent the first-ever match between the programs.

The only meeting between Williams and Emory took place in 2003 with the Eagles claiming a 3-1 win in the NCAA Tournament.

EAGLES DUO TO SERVE AS CAPTAINS – Serving as captains for the 2010 Eagles will be seniors Natalie Schonefeld and Amelia McCall (Montgomery, AL).

NUMBERS TO WATCH –  Senior Amelia McCall  (Montgomery, AL) totaled a career-high 20 kills against Chicago in the final match of the UAA Round Robin II and registered 11 digs, her 10^th double-double of the season … McCall, who has notched 18 matches of 10 or more terminations, paces the team with a 3.43 kills per set average, good for fourth place among UAA players … In addition, her 2.43 digs per set is third on the squad … Heading into this weekend’s action, Amelia is 19^th all-time at Emory with 845 kills and is 16 shy of moving past Amy Hyman (1999-2002) and into 18^th position … Sophomore Breanah Bourque (Houston, TX) enjoyed a fine UAA Round Robin II, registering team highs with a 43.3 hitting percentage (47-8—90) and a 0.87 blocks per set average … After coming up with 14 kills and five total blocks vs. No. 1 Washington University, Bourque totaled 15 put-aways, her 12^th match of the year with double digits in that category, against Chicago … In this week’s stats released by the UAA, Bourque ranks No. 1 with a 37.7 attack percentage and is seventh with a 3.10 kills per set average … Junior Jessica McAlvany (Roswell, GA) chalked up double-figure kills in three matches over the weekend and hit a season-best 56.2 percent (11-2—16) against Brandeis … Junior Ali Wright, the team leader in blocks (0.80 bps), holds down the No. 2 spot on the team and ranks fourth on the UAA ladder with a 33.8 hitting percentage … Freshman Molly Landers (Kentfield, CA) tops the squad and is 17^th among UAA players with a 2.80 digs per set average … Landers has turned in seven outings of double-digit digs … Junior setter Natalie Schonefeld (Riviera, TX) is the league’s No. 2 performer in assists (10.9 aps) … Last weekend, Natalie moved into the No. 2 position on Emory’s all-time list in assists (3,687).