By the end of the day, the Eastern Mennonite men's volleyball team was looking as good as it had all year.  The Royals split their tri-match hosted by Philadelphia Biblical University on Saturday, falling to their hosts in four before sweeping Ramapo, a team which had been getting votes in the national poll.

Philadelphia Biblical 3, EMU 1
EMU opened the day with the Crimson Eagles, a team they had beaten twice already this season.  The men played well over the first three games, but came out on the short end of the decision.

PBU won the first game 25-23 before Eastern Mennonite returned the favor with a 25-22 win in game two.  The Crimson Eagles fought for a 25-22 victory in game three and used the momentum to run away with game four, 25-13.

John Grove (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) had the most effective net presence, dropping 12 kills in 24 attacks.  Outside George Greene (Highland Springs, VA/Highland Springs) had a match high 14 kills and John Barry (Columbus, OH/Worthington Kilbourne) totaled 38 assists.  The men hit just .097 as a team.

Libero Nolan Prock (Virginia Beach, VA/Frank W. Cox) was outstanding with 20 digs.  Chris Moise (Hollywood, FL/South Broward) had four blocks while Kyle Storc (Westerville, OH/Bishop Watterson) added three.

EMU 3, Ramapo 0
With the short turnaround to take on the Roadrunners, the Royals seemed to turn on a switch.  The men hit well, blocked well, and rattled Ramapo, which was receiving votes in the most recent AVCA poll and was effectively No. 16 in the nation.

Eastern Mennonite hit .380 and was not seriously threatened, winning by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-14.

Kendall Garber (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) led all players with 12 kills, making just one error in 22 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage.  Moise put down 10 kills in 18 attempts.

Grove was effective again, with six slams in seven attacks.  Greg Knight (Chesapeake, VA/Hickory) added six kills as well.  Barry had plenty of options from his setter position and racked up 35 assists.

Prock was again all over the back row, scooping up 19 digs in the sweep.

Net play was key, as the men had nine team blocks.  Grove had four assists and one solo stuff, while fellow middle Storc also had four.

Now 8-9 overall, the Royals get ready for a big trip to the Wisconsin Invitational next weekend.  They play No. 3 Carthage and New York University Friday in Kenosha, WI, followed by No. 7 Nazareth and Fontbonne Saturday in Milwaukee, WI.