ATLANTA, Ga. - The Birmingham-Southern volleyball team defeated Berea in the regular season finale in the Emory Classic Tournament on Friday after falling to a tough #7 Emory side. 

Game 1 vs. #7 Emory

In set one, the Eagles got off to an 11-6 lead before the Panthers strung together three straight points to cut the deficit to two. After being down 15-12, 'Southern then tied things up at 15 after two errors and a Kylie Wilhelmi kill. The Panthers kept it close throughout the opening set, but Emory kept the lead through the back end of set one to take a 1-0 lead.

The second set saw the back-and-forth action continue with the score tied 6-6 after 12 points. The Eagles looked to be pulling away at 14-9, but the Panthers continued to collect points after going on a 4-1 run highlighted by two Ainsley Schultz kills. However, Emory then went on a 7-1 run to take command of the second set. They ultimately closed out the second set with a 25-16 win.

BSC started the third set similarly to set two with the score tied 8-8 after 16 points played. The set remained extremely tight but the Eagles looked to take control at 20-16. Things looked to be over for the Panthers, but they continued to fight back and tied the score at 22-22. BSC hoped to force a fourth set, but Emory then won three consecutive points to take the win in game one of the Emory Classic Tournament.

Records
Birmingham-Southern 9-17 (5-9 SAA), Emory 19-1 (7-0 UAA)
 
Set Summary 
SET ONE: 25-21 Emory
SET TWO: 25-16 Emory
SET THREE: 25-22 Emory 

Game 2 vs. Berea

The Mountaineers got off to a great start in the opening set by taking an 8-3 lead. The Panthers then gained momentum and tied the score at 10-10 after a Taylor Bentley kill. Close play continued, but Berea grabbed a 17-15 lead late in set one. 'Southern then scored four consecutive points to take a 19-17 lead. The Mountaineers tied things at 22 a piece, but the Panthers won three out of the final four points and won set one 25-23 thanks to an Ainsley Schultz kill for the final point.

In set two, Berea once again got an early lead at 7-4. The Panthers won the next two points to cut the deficit to one but could not take the lead in the second set. BSC did not go away, but the Mountaineers continued to hold them off and did not give up the lead. They closed out set two with a 25-19 win.

The Panthers got off to an excellent start this time in set three by taking an 11-5 lead after a Claire Hayes service ace. Berea cut the deficit to four at 14-10, but the Panthers then got hot with five consecutive points. Momentum stayed on the side of the Panthers as they took a commanding 25-14 victory in set three.

Set four was even better of a start than set three as the Panthers took command early at 12-5. BSC then lead 18-12 after not being able to extend the lead. Both sides then traded points back-and-forth for the next 12 points leaving the Panthers with match point at 24-18. The Mountaineers scored four straight points, but Gracie Sims put an end to the comeback threat with a kill to win the final set 25-22 and the match 3-1.

Records
Birmingham-Southern 10-17 (5-9 SAA), Berea 15-14, (10-6 CCS) 
 
Set Summary 
SET ONE: 25-23 BSC
SET TWO: 25-19 Berea
SET THREE: 25-14 BSC
SET FOUR: 25-22 BSC

Up next
The Panthers will play the SAA Quarterfinals against #4 Hendrix in Rome, Ga. at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, November 10.