Despite a strong start, the EMU men's volleyball team ran out of steam in a five-set loss to No. 14 Stevenson University Friday night in Harrisonburg.  The Royals won the first two games but couldn't close out in suffering their fifth straight loss.

Eastern Mennonite played great team ball in the opening sets, getting solid back row play with good blocking.  They took a big lead with 26-24 and 25-20 wins.

But the Mustangs grabbed momentum in game three.  Breaking off a tight 18-16 lead, SU won the set 25-19.  They started quickly in the fourth and never looked back, 25-15.

EMU led 4-3 in the fifth, and were still tied at 6-6, but Stevenson closed on a 9-4 run to seal the 15-10 decision.

Quentin Moore (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) led the Royals with 22 kills and 14 digs.  Matt Dolan (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) had 46 set assists and 12 digs.  Jesse Reist (Lancaster, Pa./J.P. McCaskey) had 15 kills.

Kyle Storc (Columbus, Oh./Bishop Watterson) had eight of EMU's 24 blocks.  Joe Spriggs (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) had six blocks, including two solo.

The men must turn around quickly, hosting Cairn Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm.  The Highlanders also lost a 3-2 CVC decision, falling at Marymount Friday night.