HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – EMU came into Wednesday night looking to get back on track after having dropped two straight ODAC matches. Mission accomplished.

The Royals got back to .500 in the ODAC, picking up a strong 3-0 sweep (25-20, 25-7, 25-21) win over the Cougars.

Records: EMU 10-12, 5-5 ODAC | Averett 5-16, 0-9 ODAC

Highlights

Set One: EMU 25, Averett 20
• With things tied at two early on, EMU went on a 6-3 run, using two kills from James Powell and one from Johnathan Badowski, to take an 8-5 lead.
• Later on in the set, Averett was able to chip away at EMU’s lead, using a 7-6 run to pull within one, 13-12. EMU was able to extend its lead with a kill from Daeman Odom and a block from Powell and Badowski, but the Cougars kept fighting, eventually tying things at 17 late.
• As EMU tried to pull away, Averett kept climbing back in, as they would tie the set at 20 after a kill and a block. But EMU was able to finish the set strong, winning the final five points, including a kill and a service ace from Jose Melendez, to take a 1-0 lead.

Set Two: EMU 25, Averett 7
• EMU jumped out to an 8-0 lead in set two, led by a kill from Derek Diaz, a Ricky Fernandez ace and blocks from Diaz, Odom and Melendez.
• After Averett got on the board, EMU surged ahead with another run, this time 8-1, using two kills from Odom and one each from Melendez, Powell and Ezekiel Awkward to take a commanding 16-2 advantage.
• The teams swapped points to EMU leading 19-7, before the Royals finished things off with their third big run of the set, 6-0, as an Awkward kill gave EMU a 2-0 lead.

Set Three: EMU 25, Averett 21
• Kills from Layne Kemp, Jonas Stafford and Delan Wright put EMU ahead 4-2 to start the final frame. The teams swapped points, and Averett was able to take a 9-7 lead after a 3-0 run.
• The Cougars would continue to lead until a 3-0 EMU run, highlighted by kills from Wright and Badowski, tied the set at 13. The teams once again traded points to AU leading 16-15, before EMU reeled off three straight points, including a kill from Diego Morales Torres and a Fernandez ace.
• After an Averett kill pulled them within one, EMU won the next three points for a 21-17 advantage. Once again, the teams traded points, which didn’t help Averett as three kills from Wright helped secure the sweep for the Royals.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Odom (8), Wright (7)
Assists: Fernandez (21), Stafford (10)
Digs: Diaz and Awkward (8)
Blocks: Odom and Diaz (4)
Service Aces: Fernandez (3)

What’s Next
EMU is back in action on Saturday when they head down Route 42 for a tri-match at Bridgewater. They’ll take on the host Eagles at 1:00 pm before finishing the day against Shenandoah University at 3:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —