ATLANTA, Ga. – The Susquehanna volleyball team traveled to Atlanta, Georgia this weekend to compete in Emory University's two day Emory Classic volleyball tournament.

On day one, SU took on Birmingham-Southern College and Lakeland College. In game one, the Crusaders battled the Panthers of Birmingham-Southern (4-1) and lost in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-19). In the second match of the day the Crusaders played the Muskies of Lakeland College (3-5) and won in four sets (25-21, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23).

Marykate Sherkness (Treskow, Pa./Marian Catholic) and Morgan Whiteman (Camp Hill, Pa./Trinity) led SU in kills against Birmingham-Southern with 10 each while Erin Byrne (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) contributed with seven. Maggie O'Hearn (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) led is assists with 26 and Sarah Paluck (Nesquehoning, Pa./Tamaqua Area) tallied 18 digs.

In the first set against the Muskies of Lakeland College both teams traded points until a 14-14 tie when a kill from O'Hearn turned the tide for the Crusaders. SU took the lead and did not look back winning 25-21. The second set went much the same way except Lakeland won 25-21. In the third set, SU dominated and took the lead early and did not let up winning 25-16, while in the fourth, Lakeland fought hard but it was not enough to give them the win and SU won 25-23.

Whiteman led the Crusaders in kills and digs with 13 and 17 respectively. Leana Carvin (Walnutport, Pa./Northampton Area) and Tara Mahoney (Edgewater, Md./South River) contributed with 11 kills apiece while once again, O'Hearn led in assists with 46.

The Crusaders return to action Saturday where they will compete in day two of the Emory Classic playing Covenant College and No. 1 Emory University.