The Emory Eagles teams have strong advantages for the 2012-13 season.
Volleyball
After compiling a 36-5 record last year, the Emory volleyball program looks to continue its streak of 16 straight NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach Jenny McDowell aims to develop a talented group of young players along with a strong corps of veterans into a cohesive and dangerous unit that will make its presence felt come the postseason. Headlining the returnees is senior middle Breanah Bourque, an AVCA First Team All-American from a year ago after ranking third nationally with a .427 attack percentage. Bolstering the fortunes of the team will be seniors Alex Duhl and Alena Ransom, both of whom captured Honorable Mention All-University Athletic Association kudos in 2011.
Women's Soccer
After winning the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship and recording the first undefeated regular season in the history of the Emory Athletics program in 2011, the women's soccer team will enter the 2012 campaign with high expectations. Emory will be returning nine players who started at least 10 games last season, including two-time all-American defender Lauren Gorodetsky. The Eagles will have a tough early-season test in front of them, as the squad is scheduled to open the campaign at the preseason top-ranked Messiah College (last year's NCAA Champions), and face third-ranked Johns Hopkins University on Sept. 7.
Men's Soccer
The Emory men's soccer team will look to extend its streak of 10 straight double-digit win seasons in 2012. After a 10-8-0 finish to the 2011 campaign, the Eagles will be returning their two top scorers from last year in rising senior and former all-American outside back Andrew Natalino (six goals and four assists), and sophomore Dylan Price (seven goals and one assist). Emory will open its 2012 schedule at the Woodruff P.E. Center on Friday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 1 against Brewton-Parker College and Kean University, as part of the annual Sonny Carter Invitational.
Men's Cross Country
The Emory men's cross country team will be a year older and wiser as it strives to return to the NCAA D-III Championships after a two-year absence. After being slowed by various ailments last year, senior Stephen Ellwood looks to bounce back for a strong final year of action. Juniors Hank Ashforth and Eddie Mulder should provide the team consistency while sophomore Alex Fleischhacker hopes to turn in another productive year after being named Rookie of the Year in 2011.
Women's Cross Country
Hopes are high in the women's cross camp this fall as head coach John Curtin heads into his 27th season with an enthusiastic and ever-improving squad that will be looking to maintain its reputation as one of the top programs in the Southeast Region. Senior Melanie Frank, an all-region performer a year ago, along with the junior duo of Sarah Klass and Emily Caesar, will be looked to for leadership and consistency. Sophomores Stephanie Crane and Tamara Surtees shared the team's Rookie of the Year honor in 2011 and will play important roles in the team's success this year.
Visit www.emoryathletics.com for schedules, stats and more.