It took extra points, but the Royals completed a big comeback Friday night, winning the final three games to take a 3-2 victory from Cairn in men's volleyball action.  Eastern Mennonite improves to 1-0 in conference play, and will continue with two more matches on Saturday as part of hosting the CVC East Division Weekend.

The men struggled in the opening two games but still lost by the slimmest of margins at 25-23 and 25-23.

A new team stepped onto the floor in game three, and the Royals stormed to a 6-0 lead.  The run continued to a 25-18 win, as the men kept themselves alive.

The Highlanders regrouped in game four and neither team led by more than two points.  With the score tied at 24-24, John Grove (Glen Allen, VA/ Deep Run) slammed a kill and then dropped in a service ace to complete the 26-24 win.

Cairn skipped ahead early in the decisive game five, leading 5-2.  EMU finally tied the score at 9-9, but the Highlanders jumped back up 12-10.  A CU service error turned the tide, however, and the Royals ended on a 6-2 streak to steal a 16-14 win.

EMU's middle hitters dominated play, and Grove finished with a career best 17 kills and seven blocks.  Kyle Storc (Westerville, OH/Bishop Watterson) also had a career night, breaking double digits for the first time and finishing with 10 kills.  Jesse Reist (Lancaster, PA/JP McCaskey East) added 15 kills and 12 digs.

John Barry (Columbus, OH/Worthington Kilbourne) had 50 set assists and six blocks.  Chris Moise (Hollywood, FL/South Broward) and Greg Knight (Chesapeake, VA/Hickory) each had 10 digs.

Eastern Mennonite improves to 12-5 overall and 1-0 in the CVC East with the win.  They return to the court Saturday and take on No. 3 Juniata at 10:00am followed by Thiel at4:00pm.