Final ’08 Recap

Emory 3, La Verne 1 Set 1: The Emory receive, passing and blocking were not good. La Verne hitters Brianna Gonzales, Crista Jones and Anna Calmer bombed away at one- or none-up nets. EU had no rhythm, and ULV took advantage whenever Eagles AA MH Dani Huffman sat out a rotation. When Huffman sat, EU’s block was no match for the ULV OH’s. La Verne’s offense was also a half-step quicker than Emory’s thanks to Leo S Yesenia Lopez outplaying Eagle S Natalie Schonefeld. Then again Schonefeld didn’t get nearly as many passes with which to operate.

Set 2: Schonefeld played much better by mixing it up, and the Eagles’ wide-open offense slowed the Leo block. EU’s Ali Wright and Amelia McCall got into a good flow and Huffman got into the act after being nearly invisible in Set 1. Still, La Verne’s D is so impressive. Even though Emory picked up the pace, the Leos contested every point. With Huffman on the bench, Wright came up with a huge solo block to put EU up 21-18. That kind of play was missing for EU in Set 1. But the key was Schonefeld’s much improved play. What a difference a set makes, although I was impressed with how close ULV kept it despite playing average (by Leo standards) volleyball. However, the Leo D was so good. A note I made during this set: “Can Emory seriously win the title without Alysse Meyer’s usual hitting performance?”

Set 3: Oof … combine poor La Verne passing and setting with Emory sizzling on O, and the Eagles getting a few blocks, and you get a convincing EU start. That start for Emory was enough to regain momentum and trade side outs to victory. Errors and passing hiccups hampered the ULV cause. It was a matter of Emory putting away free balls/overpasses, converting easy digs to transition O and graciously accepting points on errors. Schonefeld was on fire when given options. Very smart decisions. ULV couldn’t get it together. Another set note: “Wouldn’t surprise me if EU hit .500 that set. Start polishing the walnut and bronze. EU on too much of a roll to stop. Gonzales needs 15 swings in Set 4 for the Leos to have a shot.”

Set 4: Maggie Baird’s early kill/block sequence seemed to get EU back on track after falling behind 5-2. Down 22-21, EU scrapped together an amazing point that started with a Schonefeld desperation dig into a free ball, and ended with a McCall block. Then EU won a joust to get to championship point. After an easy dig off a La Verne roll shot, Schonefeld took the perfect pass and fed Baird for a booming cross-court kill from the right side. Set over. Match over. Season over. Emory wins, 25-22. Good effort from a talented (obviously) La Verne team that came back from the dead and looked poised to send it to the fifth. Gonzales and Jones were simply awesome all tournament. But the less-heralded outsides from EU – Wright, Baird and McCall – became stars tonight. And Schonefeld clearly outplayed Lopez after the first set. Congrats to Emory University, the well-deserved 2008 national champion, on its first title in school history. All-Tournament Team Dani Huffman, Emory (Most Outstanding Player) Alexandra Wright, Emory Natalie Schonefeld, Emory Christa Jones, U. of LaVerne Brianna Gonzales, U. of LaVerne Liz Schnelle, Ohio Northern Erin Albert, Juniata

-Ricky Nelson