Bears Turn Milestone Night Into a Sweep
Emmaleigh Allen reached 1,000 career kills as Lenoir-Rhyne hit .386, served 13 aces and swept Emory & Henry in three decisive sets.
Free Postgame Report | Women’s Volleyball | September 22, 2026
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 3, Emory & Henry 0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-16)
Lenoir-Rhyne gave Emmaleigh Allen a milestone, gave Emory & Henry almost no breathing room, and gave the Shuford Arena scoreboard an uncomplicated evening.
The Bears swept the Wasps to improve to 8-3 overall and 6-1 in the South Atlantic Conference. Allen reached 1,000 career kills early in the third set and finished with a match-high 10 kills.
The quick read
This match was decided by efficiency and service pressure. LR hit a season-best .386 while holding Emory & Henry to .023. The Bears won the kill comparison 41-20 and produced a season-high 13 service aces against only one for the Wasps.
That is not a narrow statistical edge. It is the volleyball version of controlling the thermostat, the light switch and the deed.
How it happened
- Set 1: Emory & Henry stayed within four at 17-13 before an Allen kill started an 8-1 LR closing run.
- Set 2: The Bears jumped ahead 9-2, hit .500 and rolled 25-9.
- Set 3: The Wasps briefly led 9-8. LR answered with an 11-2 run and closed the sweep 25-16.
Standout Bears
- Emmaleigh Allen: 10 kills, .600 hitting, 1,000th career kill.
- Brooke Aeschliman: nine kills, three aces and a match-high 12 points.
- Addison Vary: six kills and a match-high 13 digs.
- Alicia Barbarito: 18 assists, four aces and seven digs.
- Lola Nolasco: five kills on six swings, an .833 hitting percentage.
What mattered most
LR’s offense was balanced. Six Bears recorded at least three kills, so Emory & Henry could not simply load its defense toward Allen. The service line created the widest separation: the Wasps committed 13 reception errors, and LR repeatedly turned passing trouble into predictable attacks and transition chances.
The one caution is that the Bears also committed 11 service errors. That aggression was comfortably affordable Tuesday. It will be more expensive against stronger opposition.
What’s next
Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Newberry on Friday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. Newberry enters at 9-4 overall and 2-4 in conference play. The Bears should carry forward the balanced attack and serving confidence while trimming the unnecessary misses.
Bottom line: The pregame projection called for a 3-0 LR win. The Bears delivered the sweep—and did it more emphatically than expected in the first two sets.
The Professional report adds the full tactical breakdown, player-efficiency analysis, pregame projection audit, model corrections, and the specific traits that should or should not transfer to Newberry.
Official sources: Lenoir-Rhyne match recap · Official box score