EMORY, Va. – Emory & Henry College senior Twyla Sessor recently put her name in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference record book. Before it’s all said and done her sophomore teammate, Rachel Fertitta, will likely join her.
Sessor and Fertitta once again played starring roles on Wednesday night as E&H survived for a 25-21, 21-25, 23-25, 25-13, 15-10 ODAC victory over Roanoke College at the King Center.
Sessor finished with 23 digs and pushed her career total to 1,817. That’s well beyond the old ODAC career record of 1,783 digs established by Randolph-Macon’s Michelle Kutcher from 2004-07.
Sessor actually set the record in a weekend match at Bridegewater. The former Northwood High School standout was honored before the start of Wednesday’s match for the accomplishment.
“At first, I didn’t know I broke it until we came back [to school] this weekend,” Sessor said. “It really wasn’t on the top of my mind, because we had just come out of a loss. I really didn’t have much time to settle in. I was already focused on getting back in the game.”
Focus wasn’t a problem for Fertitta, who had another strong performance. She slammed down 23 kills and made five blocks and Roanoke had no answer for the 6-foot-1 standout.
She had four kills and two blocks alone in the deciding fifth game. It was the fifth time E&H (13-4, 2-3) has gone to a fifth game this season, including the third time in a row.
“Going to five is normal for us,” Fertitta said. “We like to make it interesting for our fans, I guess.”
Feritta has already racked up 260 kills this season and was named the NAIA national player of the week at one point this season.
At her current pace, she’ll probably break several records of her own.
“Rachel is one of those people – you can put her on the outside, she’ll get a kill or the middle and backside and she’ll get a kill,” Sessor said. “Having a 6-1 girl that can block and pass, she’s an all-around player. It’s amazing to have her.”
After a standout freshman season for the Wasps, Fertitta has settled into her role as a leader.
“I feel a lot more confident in my teammates now,” Fertitta said. “I get less nervous coming in, because we all know how each other play and we have a lot more chemistry out on the court now.”
Freshman Kim Caudill added 20 kills and two blocks for Emory & Henry, while junior Erin Holben (13 digs) and sophomore Ashley Masterson (50 assists) also played well for the Wasps.
The night produced mixed emotions for Roanoke College freshman Morgan Grant. The Abingdon High School graduate played well at the net all night in her return to the area, but couldn’t help the Maroons (9-10, 3-5) pull out the win.
“I think I could have improved on some areas like blocking. I couldn’t get my hands on anything,” Grant said. “But yeah, I’m happy with how I played for the most part.”
The 6-foot hitter had a large contingent of family and friends offering her support.
“It’s good to come back,” Grant said.
thayes@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2570
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