EMORY, Va. -- Alex Lambertrecorded 11 kills for Virginia Wesleyan College in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) volleyball match against Emory & Henry College on Saturday, but it was her final two spikes that counted the most.

A 6-foot senior, Lambert (Alexandria/Hayfield) slammed the ball to the floor twice off back-to-back sets from junior Kirstin Sessoms(Virginia Beach/Bayside) to provide VWC with the two decisive points in a 25-22 fourth game win over the host Wasps. 

The Marlins led 17-12 at one point in the game, but Emory & Henry battled back and pulled within a point at 23-22.  That's when Sessoms and Lambert combined for the plays that ended the game, and the match. Virginia Wesleyan won three straight games, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22, after Emory & Henry started the competition with an 25-18 decision.

It was the first win in a double victory day for the Marlins, who followed the decision over the Wasps with a 25-18, 25-12, 25-20 win over Guilford College's Quakers on the E&H court.  The sweep improved VWC's ODAC record to 3-0 and its overall mark to 9-3 heading into Tuesday's 7 p.m. non-conference match against No. 12 Christopher Newport University at the Jane P. Batten Student Center.

Virginia Wesleyan utilized a balanced effort in both matches, including 14 kills from sophomore Tiffany Barrett(Stafford/North Stafford) and eight from rookie Ashley Bologna(Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam).  Sessoms finished with 20 assists and rookie Emilee Pierson (Sterling/Park View) added 18. The Marlins produced 69 digs, led by Marin Crowder(Charlottesville/Crozet Western Albemarle) with 18 and sophomore Jessica Quinlan(Marlton, N.J./Cherokee)and Barrett with 12 each. Barrett also recorded four aces.

Emory & Henry (8-5, 1-1) led 14-13 in the second game, but a four-point run by the Marlins, helped by kills from Lambert and Quinlan, put VWC in the lead for good.  The Wasps stayed close, but could never jump in front as the Marlins produced key points to close out the win.

Virginia Wesleyan broke open game three with a 7-0 run that started with a kill by sophomore Madelyn McMurry (Springfield/West Springfield).  Barrett served through the run and produced four aces to help the Marlins open up a 16-7 lead.  The Wasps never got closer than six points the rest of the way.

Thirteen Marlins took the court at various times to help secure the victory over Guilford (3-10, 0-3).  Barrett let the game at the net with eight kills, Lambert added seven, Quinlan recorded six and Bologna finished with five.  Sessoms and Pierson recorded 13 and 12 assists, respectively, and Barrett led the Marlins with 16 digs.

--AMDG--