VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (EMU Athletics) – Right in the thick of ODAC play, EMU Men’s Volleyball loaded up the bus to other side of the state for a crucial conference matchup against Virginia Wesleyan. Unfortunately for the Royals, it was long ride home to Harrisonburg as the Marlins got the better of them in straight sets on Wednesday.

Records: EMU 9-11, 4-4 ODAC | Virginia Wesleyan 17-4, 6-3 ODAC

Highlights

Set One: VWU 25, EMU 16
• The Royals got off to a quick start, going up 4-2 on a James Powell service ace. After going down 7-6 to the Marlins, the Royals went on 3-0 run, taking advantage of service and attack errors by their opponent.
• Leading 12-11, the first set got away from EMU when Virginia Wesleyan went on a 7-0 rally to swim out front by 18-12. EMU got within four by scoring the next two points on a Marlins attack error and a Daeman Odom kill, but the Marlins outscored the Royals 7-2 the rest of the way to take the opening set.

Set Two: VWU 25, EMU 15
• Set two started out very back-and-forth as neither team could get a lead of more than two on the way to a 10-10 tie.
• Similar to set one, the Marlins went on a long rally, scoring the next six points to go up 16-10. A Virginia Wesleyan service error broke up the run, and then Ezekiel Awkward responded with a service to draw the Royals within four, 16-12.
• After trading a few points, at 18-14, the Marlins scored seven of the final eight points to claim a commanding two sets to none lead.

Set Three: VWU 25, EMU 21
• The Marlins set the tone in the third set by taking the first three points.
• The Royals played Virginia Wesleyan closer than the first two sets, staying within a point or two with contributions from a variety of players.
• However, like the first two sets, Virginia Wesleyan seized control down the stretch. With the set score tied at 20, the Marlins rattled off the next three points. After Jose Melendez got a kill to break up the streak, Virginia Wesleyan took the next two points to close out the set and the match.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Odom (11)
Assists: Jonas Stafford (15)
Digs: Ricky Fernandez (4)

What’s Next
EMU will stay on the road when they head to Lynchburg for another important ODAC matchup this Saturday, March 14. First serve against the Hornets is scheduled for 1 p.m.

— EMU Athletics —