EMU's volleyball women showed great finishing ability along with an efficient attacking game in a 3-0 non-conference win over Notre Dame of Maryland Saturday at home.  The Royals held off late Gator attacks in each set as they gave their Homecoming crowd a sweep victory.

Set one never saw a differential of more than two points until a late 4-0 run pushed EMU up 22-18.  Notre Dame got within two before a kill and service ace closed a 25-21 decision.

The second set saw some of the biggest swings of the day, with the Royals rattling off a 4-0 run only to be trumped by a 6-0 Gator run.  The score was tied at every point from 21 to 25 before back-to-back kills gave the Royals a 27-25 win.

Notre Dame had a short-lived 17-15 lead in set three after a 4-0 streak, but EMU answered with the next six points.  The Gators got within one point at 23-22 but the women again had the final say, scoring two quick points to win 25-22.

Eastern Mennonite hit .164 as a team, 85 points better than their season average entering the contest.  Kayla Smeltzer (Richmond, Va./Maggie L. Walker) hit a match best .357, with seven kills on just 14 swings.  Kaitlin Miller (Sellersville, Pa./Christopher Dock) hit .312 with six kills.  Sara Ritchie (Harrisonburg, Va./Turner Ashby) topped the team with nine kills while Janna Williams (Kenbridge, Va./Kenston Forest) added seven.  Dani Driver (Cheverly, Md./Elizabeth Seton) had 14 set assists while Jasmine Johnson (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) had 13.

Katie Miller (San Antonio, Tex./Brandeis) picked up 14 digs and Ritchie added 10.

The Royals improve to 7-15 with the non-conference win.  They have a tall task on Wednesday, playing Randolph-Macon.  The Yellow Jackets are 6-0 in the ODAC.

Coach Jeff Tyson talks about the balance his team showed in the win over Notre Dame of Maryland: