Emerson Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Newbury in Home Opener

The Emerson women's volleyball team opened up their 2016 home schedule with a 3-0 non-conference sweep over Newbury College on Tuesday night at the Brown & Plofker Gym, improving to 5-0 on the season.

Hitting .625 with six kills, sophomore Kelley Guerra (Randolph, N.J.) helped the Lions cruise to a 25-18 first set victory. Emerson gained their rhythm when they took the early 5-1 lead over Newbury on an attack error committed by the Nighthawks. Newbury was able to chip away at Emerson's lead and got within two of the Lions at 8-6, but a 6-1 run by the Lions run allowed the Purple & Yellow to pull ahead by seven at 14-7. The Nighthawks battled and came within four of the Lions at 22-18 on a kill by Ashany Bourguignon, but kills from Guerra and senior Jules Augustine (Skaneateles, N.Y.) closed out the first set win for Emerson.

During the early portions of the second set, both Emerson and Newbury remained neck-and-neck with each other. A kill from Newbury's Kumba Tengbeh tied the score 5-all, but Emerson pulled ahead by three at 8-5 on a kill by senior Annie Hall (Okemos, Mich.). Newbury continued to keep the game close and not let Emerson get too comfortable with their lead. After Emerson went up seven at 21-15, numerous attack errors committed by the Lions allowed the Nighthawks to pull within three at 21-19 thanks to a 5-1 run. With Newbury now within two at 22-20, two final service aces from senior Jessica Hamilton (Los Angeles, Calif.) and a Nighthawks attack error powered Emerson to the 25-20 win.

 After Emerson fell behind 4-3 in the opening portion of the final frame, the Lions rebounded and went on a 6-1 run that included two kills from freshman Kayleen Bertrand (New Boston, N.H.) to go up 9-5. Nighthawks attack errors allowed the Lions to give themselves a seven point cushion at 19-12, but a late 6-2 Newbury run pulled them within four with score at 21-18. A kill from Bertrand and three consecutive aces from seniorAmanda Linzmeyer (Huntington Beach, Calif.) sealed the 25-18 third set win. 

 Freshman Bella Edwards (Palisades, Calif.) led the Purple & Yellow with eight kills. Guerra tallied six kills on 10 swings, sophomore Moira Brennan (Glenview, Ill.) had 32 helpers, three service aces and eight digs and Linzmeyer registered six service aces.

Emerson returns to the court on Thursday, September 8, as they travel to UMass-Boston for a 6:00 pm contest.