PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The University of Chicago volleyball team fell just short of defending its conference title with a 3-1 loss to No. 6-ranked Emory University in the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship final on Saturday.

The Maroons finished the regular season with an overall record of 26-12. UChicago will now be relying on an at-large bid in order to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championship. The postseason field will be revealed online during the NCAA selection show at 11:00 AM (ET) on Monday: http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule/2014/11/10.

The Eagles improved to 34-3 on the year and clinched the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA postseason.

Emory 3, UChicago 1 (24-26, 25-15, 25-18, 25-20)

Saturday was a rematch of last year's UAA final, which UChicago won 3-1. This year, it was Emory who captured the title with an efficient offense that hit for a .307 attack percentage (62 kills, 11 errors, 166 attempts) during the match. The Eagles also totaled eight aces and seven blocks.

The Maroons hit .178 (55 kills, 22 errors, 185 attempts) with five aces and four blocks. Junior outside hitter Maren Loe was the lead point scorer once again with 23 kills. Her season total of 606 kills is a school record – no UChicago player has ever previously surpassed 500 kills in a year.

Senior outside hitter Morgan Barry contributed offensively and defensively with 14 kills and 15 digs. Junior outside hitter Jasmine Mobley spiked 12 kills. Junior setter Ragine Graves racked up 47 assists and 15 digs, and senior libero Eirene Kim posted 24 digs.

UChicago Stat Leaders
Maren Loe (Jr.) – 23 kills, 12 digs
Morgan Barry (Sr.) – 14 kills, 15 digs
Jasmine Mobley (Jr.) – 12 kills, 3 digs
Ragine Graves (Jr.) – 47 assists, 15 digs
Eirene Kim (Sr.) – 24 digs