The EMU volleyball women got what they needed Wednesday night - a win on the road as they took down Mary Baldwin 3-1 in Staunton.  The victory gives the Royals a 4-1 beginning to the year, their best start since going 5-1 in 1996.

Set one saw each team use small runs to keep things close.  Finally the Royals grabbed control and ended on a 10-3 run to win 25-19.  MBC had a 6-0 streak midway through the second set and kept the edge to a 25-20 decision.

Four straight kills helped Eastern Mennonite gain the momentum they needed in the third set, opening a 19-15 cushion.  The Fighting Squirrels never recovered from that as the women cruised to a 25-20 final.  The Royals then ended the night on a 17-2 explosion for a 25-13 clincher.

Sara Ritchie (Harrisonburg, Va./Turner Ashby) tied for the match high with 16 kills along with four service aces.  She got plenty of help in the attack, highlighted by Kayla Smeltzer (Richmond, Va./Maggie L. Walker) who had a career best 14 kills.  Janna Williams (Kenbridge, Va./Kenston Forest) and Regan Cook (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) each had eight.  Dani Driver (Cheverly, Md./Elizabeth Seton) paced the attack with 26 assists.

Katie Miller (San Antonio, Tex./Brandeis) racked up 19 digs while Alena Yoder (Elkhart, Ind./Bethany Christian) had 17.

EMU will get some good tests this weekend at the Sea Gull Classic in Salisbury, Md.  They play a non-conference match against Virginia Wesleyan at 6:00pm on Friday, followed by William Peace at 8:00pm.  The Classic wraps up on Saturday.