FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals stayed in-state on Tuesday, heading to Fredericksburg to take on Mary Washington.

The Royals battled, but ultimately it was the Eagles who picked up the 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-22) win.

Records: EMU 2-9, 1-1 ODAC | Mary Washington 4-11, 0-0 C2C

Highlights

Set One: UMW 25, EMU 16
• The Eagles jumped out to a 9-2 lead to start the match before an attack error, an Emma Greer kill and a Felicity Jones ace pulled EMU within four.
• UMW extended their lead to 10, 18-8, late in the set, but EMU kept fighting, pulling within six with a 4-0 run, highlighted by three straight aces from Kaitlyn Custis and a Kassidy Meadows kill.
• A 5-1 run pushed Mary Washington’s lead back to 10, and unfortunately for the Royals, they would only pick up four points for the rest of the set, as UMW picked up a 1-0 lead.
Set Two: UMW 25, EMU 20
• A Meadows kill and service ace started the second set for EMU, followed later by a block from Emma Rogers, putting the Royals ahead 5-3. The Eagles responded with a 7-0 run, taking a 10-5 lead in the first 15 points.
• A UMW error, Rogers kill and Emerson Moats ace, pulled EMU back within two and the teams exchanged 3-0 runs, and single points, to Mary Washington leading 15-13. UMW went on another 3-0 run, pushing their lead to five, before the Royals reeled off four straight, highlighted by a trio of aces from Jones and a Greer kill.
• Mary Washington answered with a 5-1 run before a Jada Parker kill stopped the tilt. But UMW won two of the final three points, taking the set and a 2-0 match lead.
Set Three: UMW 25, EMU 22
• With Mary Washington leading 4-3 early on, EMU went ahead with a 5-0 run, using a pair of kills from Parker, a kill from Kenley Smith and a Jones ace, for an 8-4 lead. UMW answered with an 8-1 tilt, taking a 12-9 lead, forcing an EMU timeout.
• Out of the break, after the teams exchanged points, EMU picked up seven of the next eight, including kills from Meadows, Greer, Smith and Mckenzie Taylor, to lead 17-14.
• Two points later, with EMU leading 18-15, the Eagles surged ahead with a 5-0 run for a 20-18 lead. EMU re-took the lead with three straight, including two kills from Parker, but UMW finished out the match, winning five of the next six points.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Meadows (6), Parker (5)
Assists: Custis (9)
Aces: Jones (5), Custis (4)
Digs: Jones (14), Meadows (10)
Blocks: Rogers (1)

What’s Next
EMU will be back in action on Saturday, at home, when they take on Marymount and Virginia Union in a tri-match. First serve against the Saints is set for 12:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —