The Emmaus High School boys volleyball team was crowned the Red Rover Invitational champions at Easton High School this past Saturday afternoon to highlight an unbeaten opening week to the 2023 season.

Teams from Easton, Southern Lehigh, Liberty, Pennsbury and Haverford competed in the event. Junior setter Cooper Henseler was named to the tournament’s all-star team at the conclusion of Saturday’s competition.

Before Saturday, the Hornets opened their regular season in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and defeated Whitehall in straight sets by scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-13 at Emmaus High School on Monday, March 20. They followed that up with a nonconference victory against Governor Mifflin, also at home, winning three sets to one by scores of 15-25, 25-22, 25-22 and 30-28.

Against the Zephyrs, senior outside hitter Logan Dougherty and junior outside hitter Cael Kratzer led the offense with seven kills each, while junior middle hitter Jametric Harris was just behind with five. Henseler finished with 28 assists to facilitate the offense. Senior libero Zach Baus had a team-high 15 digs to pace the defense.

In the victory over the Mustangs, Emmaus was forced to come from behind after dropping the opening set by 10 points. In two tightly-contested sets in sets two and three, the Green Hornets were able to hold on in the end to take a 2-1 lead needing just one set victory in the last two to take the match. The fourth set was back-and-forth the whole way and had to be taken beyond the normal 25-point finish as Emmaus was able to break free by scoring two points in a row to win 30-28 and take the match.

Dougherty led the attack with 17 kills and Harris added 11. Henseler contributed 42 assists and nine digs. Baus had 26 digs. Cael Kratzer totaled eight kills.

Emmaus has its first road match of the season as it heads back to Easton to take on the Red Rovers on Tuesday night. The Hornets host Pocono Mountain East on Thursday before concluding the week at Northeastern in a nonconference match.