The Emery Lady Spartans won three of four games to earn a third-place finish at the volleyball 3A State Championship Tournament Thursday afternoon at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed from Region 15, Emery defeated Judge Memorial and Union Wednesday to advance to the semifinals. After falling to San Juan Thursday morning the team rebounded by topping North Sanpete for third-place Thursday afternoon.

Opening the tournament against Judge Memorial, the No. 3 seed from Region 13, the Lady Spartans rallied from a slow start to pick a win in four sets. Dropping the first 25-13, Emery powered past the Bulldogs 25-22, 25-14 and 25-21 in the next three to secure the victory.

In order to advance to the semifinals Emery had to get past Union, the No. 1 seed from Region 14. The task was hardly difficult as the Lady Spartans won in straight sets 25-22, 25-18 and 25-16.

The semifinals paired Emery against region-foe and division champion San Juan. Meeting for the third time this season the Lady Spartans were swept in straight sets 25-16, 27-25, 25-16. The loss dropped the team to the third-fourth place contest against North Sanpete later in the day.

The final match of the season came down to one decisive set, which worked out in Emery’s favor. After dominating the first two sets 25-13 and 25-19, Emery dropped the next two 25-17 and 32-30. North Sanpete’s comeback attempt fell well short as Emery easily won the fifth set 15-6.

Emery’s 3-1 tournament record is the best since 2015 when the team finished seventh with the same mark. Last year the Lady Spartans were eliminated in two games after back-to-back losses.