Wentworth Institute of Technology and Rivier University joined the Emerson women’s volleyball team for a Saturday tri-match in the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym on Sept. 13. A flurry of lead changes and scoring runs made for an energetic slate of games. But despite valiant efforts and tight contests, the Lions fell to their guests in a 3-0 sweep to Wentworth and 3-1 loss to Rivier.
Game 1 vs. Wentworth
The first set began with a close margin, as a double block by junior middle hitter Hannah Miller and sophomore setter Sophia Schiappa tied the set at three. Wentworth then outscored Emerson 6-2 for a 9-5 advantage, forcing the Lions to call a timeout. The Leopards proceeded to break the game open, taking a 21-8 lead behind a series of attacks. The Lions trimmed the deficit with kills from first-year outside hitter Shirley Yu, first-year right side Lizi Horning and sophomore setter Chloe Hokenson. However, the consecutive Wentworth kills gave them Set No. 1, 25-13. However, the Lions remained persistent.
The Lions started out strong in set No. 2, taking a 5-2 lead behind a kill from first-year outside hitter Dalena Garrett. The Leopards continued to chip away, but the Lions’ attacks kept them in front. A three-peat of Schiappa aces gave them an 11-6 lead, which led Wentworth to regroup. The Leopards chipped away several times, including a 7-0 run to take a 20-15 advantage.
Multiple Wentworth kills and aces brought them to set point, 24-16, but the Lions rallied once more behind kills from Yu and Hokenson and an ace by Meissner. A Lions service error ended their run, however, and Wentworth took the second set 25-20.
The Leopards scored a pair of points to begin the third set before the Lions rattled off five in a row, including three aces by sophomore libero Sami Kim. The back and forth continued, with anticipation building amid narrow one to two-point leads. After Yu committed an attack error that prompted some questioning towards officials, she delivered a no-doubt spike to give Emerson a 16-15 lead.
The Leopards’ strong two-way play led to a 6-0 sprint and a 21-16 lead, which was broken by another Yu kill. Wentworth held on despite Emerson’s attacks, winning the third set 25-20 and achieving the sweep.
Yu led the Lions with 12 kills against the Leopards, while Hokenson finished with 19 assists and Schiappa ended with a team-high four aces. The loss came after a 3-0 win against the Leopards last September.
Game 2 vs. Rivier
The Lions and Raiders traded leads in the second game, with neither side leading by more than three in the opening set. The Raiders pulled away late, leading 20-15 after a streak of spikes. Despite several kills by Yu and Garrett, Rivier won set No. 1 25-20.
The Lions benefited from early Rivier errors, taking a 4-2 lead in the second set. However, numerous Lion service and attack errors and powerful Rivier kills brought the visitors right back in, as a Raider kill put them on top, 7-6. Both sides continued to exchange spikes and aces, each tying or taking the lead throughout the period.
The Lions soon led 21-17 after a kill by Kim, but Rivier erased the deficit with a 7-0 run and eventually took the second set 25-22, animated and aiming for the sweep.
The tides turned in Emerson’s favor early in set No. 3, as they nabbed a 3-0 lead behind two aces from junior defensive specialist Lauren Yoo and a kill by Yu. The Raiders were quick to catch up, however, leading 8-7 after a kill crawled over the net. After another close exchange, the Raiders separated themselves with spikes, leading 13-11 after consecutive kills. The Lions continued to fight and earned a 16-15 lead after a Schiappa attack. They took control later in the period with a 4-0 run, leading 23-20 after a Yu slam. After Rivier cut back to one, consecutive Yu kills brought the Lions a much-needed victory, taking set No. 3 in high spirits, 25-22.
The Raiders’ offense hummed in the fourth set, recording a flurry of spikes to take a 10-6 lead. The Lions shortened the deficit behind kills from Schiappa and Horning, but what was once a 12-10 deficit stretched to 19-12, dominated by Rivier’s slams and aces. The Lions stopped the Raiders’ momentum and created some of their own late in the set, tying it at 25 after an emphatic kill by Yu. Rivier responded accordingly, however, finishing the game with a spike and swat for a 27-25 win.
Yu led the Lions with 22 kills, while Horning added ten and Schiappa finished with seven. Hokenson added 42 assists, and Kim and Yoo tallied three aces apiece.
Following Saturday’s results, the Lions head to Franklin, Mass., to face Dean College on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.
