Box Score FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – The UNC Pembroke volleyball team took an early two set lead, and fended off a late surge from Emmanuel to defeat the Lions 3-2 (25-23, 25-22, 15-25, 19-25, 16-14) on Friday afternoon inside the Shaw Athletic Center. 

It is the best start to conference play for the Braves (7-4, 4-0 CC) since the 2021 season where UNCP won its first five conference contests. The setback for the Lions (6-5, 4-1 CC) marked just their second loss at home this season. 

 

MATCH SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	UNC Pembroke 3, Emmanuel 2 (25-23, 25-22, 15-25, 19-25, 16-14)
RECORDS	UNC Pembroke 6-5, 4-0 CC, Emmanuel 6-5, 4-1 CC
ARENA	Shaw Athletic Center (Franklin Springs, Ga.)

MATCH REPLAY
SET 1 I 25-23	The set opened with the Braves capitalizing on multiple errors by the Lions, taking an early 3-0 lead. Addie Decker added to the momentum with a kill, but Emmanuel responded with a series of points, including a kill by Ellie Jackson, leveling the score at 3-3. The teams traded points throughout, with Alexandria Mills and McKenna Hayes contributing key kills for Pembroke. Despite a late push by the Lions, including a service ace by Asia Queen, Savannah Whaley sealed the set for the Braves with a decisive kill from an assist by Emily Collings.
SET 2 I 25-22	The Braves capitalized on Emmanuel's errors and maintained a slight edge throughout the set. Abby Peduzzi delivered crucial kills, including a service ace at 4-4, helping the Black & Gold gain momentum. Emmanuel's Ellie Jackson recorded multiple kills, keeping the Lions in contention, but a decisive kill by Kaitlyn Koel clinched the set for UNC Pembroke.
SET 3 I 15-25	Emmanuel built significant momentum with a 9-1 run, starting with a kill by Brianna Bigelow and punctuated by a service ace from Marusa Pesut, bringing the score to 9-4. The Braves struggled with attack errors, and Emmanuel used two consecutive blocks by Cailin Pritchard and Ellie Jackson that made it 17-8 to keep the Lions on pace to take the third set.
SET 4 I 19-25	In a competitive fourth set, UNCP initially gained a slight edge with a 5-2 lead, highlighted by Abby Peduzzi's kill and an ace from Anaya Carter. Emmanuel quickly responded, with Ellie Jackson recording multiple kills, contributing to a 9-6 advantage. The teams traded points, but Emmanuel surged ahead with a decisive run, including a service ace from Marusa Pesut and Emerlynn Lee's kill, extending their lead to 23-18. Natalie Wilson's kill and an attack error from the Braves to send the match to a deciding set.
SET 3 I 16-14	After trading points early on, Alexandria Mills and Abby Peduzzi contributed key kills to keep UNC Pembroke competitive. McKenna Hayes added crucial kills, including one that tied the score at 14-14. The decisive points came from a collaborative block by Addie Decker and McKenna Hayes and a service ace by Isabella Dillman, clinching the match for the Braves.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
KILLS	Abby Peduzzi (11), Addie Decker (11), McKenna Hayes (10),
ASSISTS	Tyler Patterson (28), Emily Collings (17), Anaya Carter (5)
DIGS	Savannah Whaley (19), Anaya Carter (11), Tyler Patterson (11)
BLOCKS	Alexandria Mills (5), Abby Peduzzi (3), McKenna Hayes (2)
SERVICE ACES	Anaya Carter (3), Abby Peduzzi (1), Tyler Patterson (1)

 

UP NEXT

The Braves will step out of conference play when they travel to Greenwood, S.C. to face Lander on Tuesday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside Horne Arena.

 

STAY CONNECTED

Follow UNCP Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram at @UNCP_Volleyball and "Like" UNCPVolleyball on Facebook.

 

BACK THE BRAVES

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Volleyball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.