Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan took down the Emory & Henry Wasps in a dramatic five set finish on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors picked up 51 kills on Saturday with Emily Ellis leading the team with 16. Behind Ellis, Micheala Andress had 13 kills and Megan Gilliland had nine. Of the 44 assists, Hannah Wilson had 21 and Ashley Sexton had 16. Andress went on to have five aces while both Ellis and Faith Paxton had two. Southern Wesleyan had 13 blocks with Trinity Eichman and Gracie Wilson each recording six. Paxton picked up 16 digs.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Emory & Henry 25, Southern Wesleyan 17
Set Two Final: Southern Wesleyan 28, Emory & Henry 26
Set Three Final: Emory & Henry 25, Southern Wesleyan 23
Set Four Final: Southern Wesleyan 25, Emory & Henry 20
Set Five Final: Southern Wesleyan 15, Emory & Henry 11
Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-18 / CC 1-12) Emory & Henry (7-13 / SAC 3-8)
How It Happened
Set One
The Warriors struck first in the first set as Megan Gilliland laid down a kill off a pass from Hannah Wilson. The Wasps countered with a kill by Brianna Hogan. Southern Wesleyan regained the lead on a kill by Micheala Andress. Emory & Henry would not relent as Gracyn Miller and Hogan each put down a kill to take a 13-9 point lead. Kills by Andress and Gilliland allowed the Warriors to stay within five. The Wasps took the first set in a 25-17 final.
Set Two
Emory & Henry took the first point of the second set on a kill by Diana Wesolosky. However, kills by Micheala Andress and Gavrielle Elswick allowed the Warriors to take a 3-2 point lead. The Wasps countered as a kill by Hannah Watson put them on top by one. They extended their lead to 7-4 on an ace by Logan Newberry. Watson put down back-to-back kills to give Emory & Henry a five point lead. Southern Wesleyan continued to push on as Hannah Wilson laid down a service ace. Trinity Eichman and Megan Gilliland blocked the Wasps attacks to keep the Warriors within three. A kill by Emily Ellis allowed the Warriors to come to 21-20 behind the Wasps. An ace by Ellis and then a kill by Andress put Southern Wesleyan on top by one. A kill by Andress allowed the Warriors to claim the second set in a 28-26 final.
Set Three
The Wasps took the first point of the set, but a kill by Micheala Andress allowed the Warriors to tie the set up. Attack errors and a bad set by the Wasps allowed Southern Wesleyan to take the lead. Grace Nelson laid down an ace to tie the set up at five points apiece. Gracie Wilson and Megan Gilliland blocked an attack by Diana Wesolsky to put Southern Wesleyan back on top by one. The Wasps would not relent as Grace Duey and Brianna Hogan each laid down kills. Faith Paxton served the ball for an ace. However, kills by Hogan and Watson allowed Emory & Henry to take a 25-23 point victory.
Set Four
A kill by Abigail Chadwick and an ace by Payton Rolfsen gave the Wasps the early lead in set four. Southern Wesleyan would not be deterred as kills by Micheala Andress, Gracie Wilson and Emily Ellis put them ahead. An ace by Andress allowed the Warriors to extend their lead to three points. Emory & Henry challenged, but a kill and ace by Ellis allowed Southern Wesleyan to regain their three point lead. Southern Wesleyan took a 12-8 point lead on an ace by Faith Paxton. The Wasps tied the set up on a kill by Gracyn Miller. Emily Ellis and Trinity Eichman blocked an attack by Abigail Chadwick to extend the Warriors lead to five points. Southern Wesleyan took the fourth set in a 25-20 final score.
Set Five
The Warriors took the first point of the final set on a kill by Michaela Andress. They pushed ahead on a kill by Megan Gilliland and ace by Andress. However, a kill by Hannah Watson allowed the Wasps to tie the set up. Southern Wesleyan continued to push ahead as Emily Ellis laid down back-to-back kills. Emory & Henry countered with a kill by Gracyn Miller, but an ace by Micheala Andress allowed the Warriors to take a two point lead. Back-to-back kills by Ellis allowed the Warriors to claim the final set in a 15-11 final.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on October 25 as they host the Young Harris Mountain Lions. They will then travel to Franklin Springs, GA on October 27 to take on the Emmanuel Lions. The Warriors will then host the Georgia College Bobcats on October 28.
