HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals returned to ODAC play Friday night, welcoming in the Vixens of Sweet Briar College to Yoder Arena.

EMU flexed its muscle, hitting .373 for the match, with 14 different Royals picking up kills, in a 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-19) win.

Records: EMU 8-12, 3-5 ODAC | Sweet Briar 0-21, 0-10 ODAC

Highlights
• EMU jumped out to an 8-1 lead, picking up three kills from Logan Turchetta, single kills from Lindsay Bly and Emma Rogers, an Emerson Moats ace and a block from Rogers and Bly. After Later in the set, with the Royals leading 12-4, EMU pushed their lead to double digits with a 4-0 run, highlighted by kills from Rogers, Haley Atkins and Ella Lambert, along with another ace, this time from Rogers. SBC tried to climb back in, going on a 9-6 run to cut EMU’s lead to 22-13, but the Royals finished off the set by winning three of the next four points, as a Rogers kill and Alyssa Carr block put EMU ahead 1-0.
• Set two was tight to start, with things tied at five through the first 10 points. EMU then surged ahead with an 8-0 tilt, with Rogers accounting for three of those points (two aces and a kill) and Zyon McClatchey adding a block and a kill. After an EMU error, the Royals went on another run, this time 11-2, taking a commanding 24-8 lead. SBC was able to win five straight to cut their deficit to 11, before EMU finished things off with a kill from Turchetta.
• Sweet Briar wasn’t going away, as they kept things close throughout the third set. Things were tied at 13 midway through the set, before EMU was able to give themselves some breathing room with a 4-0 run, including kills from Emma Greer and Ella Ollet, and a Rebekah Allen ace. After the Vixens pulled back within two, the Royals reeled off another 4-0 run. SBC was able to keep EMU within 4-6, including 22-18, before the Royals wrapped up the match with a pair of blocks (Atkins/Addy May and Atkins) and a Vixens error.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Turchetta (8), Bly (7)
Assists: Cristina Colon (16)
Digs: Felicity Jones (8)
Aces: Moats (5), Allen and Rogers (3)

What’s Next
EMU won’t have much time to enjoy this win, as they’re right back in action on Saturday with a home matchup against Lynchburg. First serve is set for noon.

— EMU Athletics —