Emory Volleyball Battles Lee University

MATCH FACTS – After claiming the crown in its own tournament last weekend, the Emory volleyball team looks forward to a big challenge on Friday evening (Sept. 17) when it takes to the road to meet the Flames of Lee University.  The Paul Dana Walker Center on the Lee campus will be the site of the 26^th meeting between the programs and the match is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start.

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 450-118.  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.

Lee University is led by Andrea Hudson (Lee College, 1984), who is in her 20^th campaign as head coach.  Heading into Friday’s bout against Emory, Hudson owns a school record of 636-223.  She has directed the program to 14 campaigns of 30 or more victories along with seven appearances to the NAIA National Tournament.

2010 RECORDS – Emory, ranked No. 3 nationally among Division III programs, stands 10-0, the program’s first such 10-game start since the 2000 campaign.  Over the weekend, the Eagles rattled off four wins en route to the Emory Classic title.  Emory topped both Springfield College and Tufts by 3-0 scores on Friday before registering similar decisions on Saturday against Texas Lutheran and St. Catherine.

 Lee will entertain Emory with a perfect 11-0 slate.  In their most recent action, the Flames came away with a 3-0 victory at Brenau University on Sept. 14.

SERIES RECORDS – Emory holds a slim 13-12 edge in the all-time series with Lee.  Last year, the teams split a pair of matches with Lee registering a 3-2 triumph on its home court (Oct. 10, 2009) before the Eagles responded with a 3-1 win at the Woodruff PE Center on Oct. 22.  Friday’s match will be the first of two meetings between the schools with Lee invading the Emory campus on Oct. 8.

EAGLES EARN EMORY CLASSIC ALL-TOURNEY HONORS –  For the second straight week, Emory players dominated an all-tournament team with the Eagles landing three spots on the Emory Classic All-Tournament Team.  Senior Amelia McCall (Montgomery, AL) was chosen by the Classic coaches as the MVP while sophomore Breanah Borque (Houston, TX) and junior Natalie Schonefeld (Riviera, TX) drew all-tourney nods. 

McCall played in all 12 sets and averaged 2.92 kills, 1.5 digs and 0.75 blocks while Bourque averaged 3.40 terminations and 1.90 blocks in the 10 sets she appeared in.  Schonefeld was solid in all facets of the game, dishing out 11.6 assists and contributing 2.8 digs per set.

EMORY NO. 3 IN AVCA POLL – For the third straight week, Emory holds down the No. 3 spot among Division III teams in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.  The Eagles own 550 points and trail No. 1-ranked and defending NCAA champ Washington University (600 pts.) and No. 2 Juniata (576 pts.).

EAGLES WELCOME BACK ALL-AMERICANS – Emory welcomes back a pair of 2009 All-Americans to its roster in junior setter Natalie Schonefeld (Riveria, TX) and junior outside hitter Jessica McAlvany (Roswell, GA). 

Schonefeld garnered first-team honors in 2009 after claiming second-team kudos in 2008.   The 5-foot-8 performer directed the Emory attack with a steady hand, ending the year No. 2 in the UAA and No. 9 nationally with a 10.73 assists per-set average.  Her total of 1,405 assists placed her fifth on the school's seasonal list while her assists per-set effort ranked seventh.  In addition, she was named the UAA's Most Valuable Player, the fourth Emory spiker to earn that distinction.

McAlvany, 6-foot-1, was selected to the first team as well,  pacing the team with 362 kills while her team-leading 3.15 kills per set placed her eighth among UAA players. She finished third on the squad with 59 total blocks (0.60 bps) and totaled 18 matches of double-figure kills.

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 –  Emory’s four wins last weekend upped its home win streak to 18 matches … The Eagles’ last setback at home came against Division II foe North Alabama back on Sept. 15, 2009 … Since the 1992 season, Emory has compiled a 257-45 won-lost slate in home matches … Emory hit a season-high 39.8 percent (43-8—88) in the St. Catherine match and has posted an attack percentage of 30 percent or higher on seven occasions … The Eagles tied a season high with 12 total blocks vs. Springfield and has three outings of double figures in that category … Junior Jessica McAlvany hit a season-high 43.3 percent (14-1—30) against St. Catherine and her 14 successful attacks represented her fifth double-figure performance in that category this season … Through 10 matches, Bourque paces the team in kills (3.30 kps) and total blocks average (0.88 bps) … In addition, she tops the team and the UAA with a 43.3 hitting percentage (109-20—201) … Junior Ali Wright (Matteson, IL) is second on the squad and seventh among UAA players with a 33.6 hitting percentage … Senior Kelsey Krzyston has doled out 12 services to date and over the weekend she moved into sole possession of 11^th place on the Eagles’ all-time ladder with 167 aces … Krzyston is one shy of tying Alysse Meyer (2006-09) for 10^th place.