AIKEN, S.C. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team continued its hot start to the season on Saturday, as ERAU swept Carson-Newman (25-16, 25-22, 25-14) and Converse (25-20, 25-11, 25-15) on the final day of the USC Aiken Invitational. The Blue and Gold finished the weekend in the Palmetto State with a 4-0 record, winning 12 of the 13 sets it played.
 
ERAU 3, Carson-Newman 0
 
Embry-Riddle jumped out to a 3-0 lead early, and after Carson-Newman tied it at three, ERAU rattled off six straight points to take a commanding 9-3 lead. An 8-1 spurt increased the lead to 18-8 and the Blue and Gold cruised from there to take the opening frame, 25-16.
 
Set two started similarly, with ERAU scoring the first four points only to see CNU rally back to take a 7-6 lead. The Eagles scored eight straight to pull ahead, 14-7, and they would maintain a lead for the rest of the set. Carson-Newman made a late comeback bid, staving off four straight set points to get within two at 24-22, but an Amelia Hartnett block clinched the set.
 
The Eagles used an early 5-0 burst to take an 8-4 lead in the third set, but CNU fought with a 5-0 run of its own to pull ahead, 10-9. ERAU scored the next three points to regain the lead, and a Hartnett kill that made it 14-12 sparked a 9-0 run to essentially put the match out of reach, with the Eagles leading 22-12. Moments later, Cameron Gilleland put down back-to-back kills to close out the set at 25-14, completing the sweep.
 
Gilleland led all players with 12 kills to go along with eight digs, while Jaden McBride added 10 kills and nine digs. Sam Lanning was strong at the net with seven blocks (one solo), while Hartnett chipped in with nine kills and five blocks (two solo). Kendyl Taylor tallied a match-high 12 digs and Emily Weaver racked up a match-high 27 assists.
 
ERAU 3, Converse 0
 
A play-by-play log was not available for Embry-Riddle's match against Converse; only a final box score was provided.
 
McBride led the Blue and Gold with 10 kills while Melanie Canfield added seven kills. Taylor led the way with 10 digs and scored two service aces, while Tamzen Wilson recorded three four aces. Devyn Petrowski made her first start, compiling 33 assists, five digs, and three service aces.
 
The Eagles are back in action next Friday, Sept. 10, as they travel to Saint Augustine for the Flagler Saints Classic. ERAU will play a pair of matches on the opening day of the tournament, facing West Virginia Wesleyan at 11 a.m. followed by a 3 p.m. contest against Lindenwood.