EMU's volleyball men played well at times and struggled at times in a 3-1 loss at Stevenson Wednesday night.  The Royals slide to 4-3 with the loss, including 1-2 in the Continental Volleyball Conference.

The Mustangs scored the first four points of the night as set one was never in doubt in a 25-14 decision for the home team.  Eastern Mennonite regrouped in the second set.  The two teams traded leads until Stevenson looked ready to close out a victory, holding a 23-21 lead.  But led by a kill and two service aces from sophomore Scott Brigham (Montpelier, Va./Patrick Henry), EMU scored four straight to win 25-23.

The men scored the first four points of the third before the momentum shut off.  The Mustangs used a handful of lengthy runs to roll to a 25-18 decision.

The fourth set turned into a classic battle as the teams traded small barbs.  EMU led 21-18 before the home team tied the score at 21-21.  A kill from Tim Callahan (Harrisburg, Va./Central Dauphin) kept the Royals in front at 23-22, but Stevenson scored two in a row to serve for match point at 24-23.  Dan Lutz (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) picked up a big solo block to tie the score, but the Mustangs scored the next two points to close the night on a 26-24 win.

EMU hit .133 as a team, despite hitting .000 in the first and third sets.  Stevenson swung at a .265 clip.

Callahan landed 12 kills with a .364 attack percentage.  Brigham worked his way to match highs of 14 kills, 12 digs and four aces.  Justin Spanka (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) added 11 kills.

Russell Long (Hampton, Va./Bethel) put up 38 set assists.  Lutz and Joe Spriggs (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) each had a couple of blocks.

Kyle Wisner led a balanced Stevenson attack with 10 kills and five blocks.  Alex Klunk had seven blocks.

The Royals return home this Saturday, hosting Cairn University at 11:30am.  The men beat the Highlanders in five last Friday on the road.