The women’s volleyball team defeated Simmons College 3-0 in a match where the Lions won each set by at most four points. 

Going into Thursday, the Lions held a 13-5 regular season record after winning seven out of their last eight matches. Simmons College provided a challenging non-conference matchup for Emerson, as the Sharks were 13-6 and second in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. 

In a close first set, the Lions did not lead by more than three points until they won the set 25-21. They carried the momentum over into the second set and jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. The Lions’ lead did not last long, as the Sharks scored eight of the next nine points to take an 8-7 lead. 

“We didn’t set up very well,” head coach Ben Read said in a post-game interview. “We were on the way down a lot of times because we weren’t used to a faster offense. They were doing things different than a lot of teams we play, so that caused a lot of pressure.” 

Despite the run from Simmons, freshman right side hitter Rebecca Polsky said the team remained composed. 

“I think we just needed to calm down, refocus, and just think about the next ball,” Polsky said in a post-game interview. “We have trust in each other, so we know we can get the job done.”

The second set remained close, but two crucial serving errors by Simmons helped the Lions win the set 25-23. Late in the third set, Simmons scored to tie the game at 20. The set remained tightly contested until two straight attacking errors by Simmons gave the Lions a 27-25 win, completing the 3-0 sweep.  

“[Simmons] is a very scrappy team,” Read said. “They play with a lot of high energy, and we had a slightly different lineup today. I’m glad that despite some of the things that we should have done better, we did make those adjustments and found a way to win.”

Polsky received her fifth start of the season against Simmons and said she is embracing the role. 

“I think I’ve stepped up to it,” Polsky said. “It has taken a lot for me to get used to it, but overall I’m just trying to do my best to help the team and do my job on the court.”

Polsky recorded five kills in the win, and she credits her trust in her teammates with the team’s success.

“I think we can trust each other on the court and know that, if someone does make a mistake, there are other people to pick us up,” Polsky said. “I think we can pull through anything, and I think we proved that today.”

The Lions will face University of New England in another non-conference home game on Saturday, Oct. 19 at noon.