HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – After a tough road stretch to start the season, the Royals returned home on Friday, opening up ODAC play against Hollins.

A match in front of the home crowd was just what the doctor ordered, as EMU picked up a sweep (25-22, 25-20, 25-15) of the Green and Gold

Records: EMU 2-7, 1-0 ODAC | Hollins 5-7, 0-3 ODAC

Set One: EMU 25, Hollins 22
• The Royals jumped out to an early lead in set one, picking up kills from Kenley Smith and Logan Turchetta, along with a Turchetta/Smith block. Hollins would eventually tie things at four, but EMU pulled back out in front with a 4-0 run, highlighted by another Turchetta kill and back-to-back aces from Mckenzie Taylor.
• The teams would swap points to 10-10, but the Royals gave themselves some breathing room with a 7-2 run.
• HU was able to keep it close late in the set, until EMU, leading 21-19, won three of the next four points from a Kassidy Meadows kill and service ace, as well as a Smith kill. The Green and Gold clawed back within two, 24-22, after a pair of EMU errors, but the Royals finished off the set with a Smith kill for a 1-0 lead.

Set Two: EMU 25, Hollins 20
• This time it was HU that pulled out in front early, before a 4-0 Royals run, highlighted by two kills from Emma Greer, one from Turchetta and a Felicity Jones service ace, gave EMU a 5-3 lead.
• Once again, Hollins was able to keep EMU close, holding a 10-10 tie, before the Royals went on a tear, extending their lead to six with a 7-1 tilt.
• Late in the set, the Green and Gold weren’t going away and, with EMU leading 19-14, went on a 6-2 run to pull within one, 21-20. But a trio of kills from Smith, as well as a Kaitlyn Custis ace, gave EMU the set win and a 2-0 match lead.

Set Three: EMU 25, Hollins 15
• HU took a 5-4 lead to start the third, before EMU rallied once again, winning the four points, including a Custis kill and a Taylor ace, to lead 8-5.
• After Hollins pulled within two, Emerson Moats’ serve was strong and helped EMU to a 5-0 run, extending their lead to 13-6. Hollins won the next three points to pull within four, but another strong service run, this time from Emma Rogers, along with two kills from Meadows and a kill apiece from Smith and Lindsay Bly, gave EMU a nine-point lead, their largest of the set.
• The Royals were able to extend their lead to 10 with a kill from Smith, a block from Meadows and Smith and a Custis ace. Hollins won four of the next six points to cut their deficit to eight, but EMU finished off the sweep with an error and a Rogers kill.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Smith (12), Greer (8 – Career High)
Assists: Custis (19), Taylor (12)
Digs: Jones (11)
Aces: Taylor, Custis (3)
Blocks: Smith (2)

What’s Next
EMU is right back on the court on Saturday, when they take on Roanoke in another ODAC showdown. First serve against the Maroons is set for noon.

— EMU Athletics —