EMU's volleyball men got their tour of New York started off on the right foot Monday night, sweeping past John Jay College in straight sets.  The Royals improve to 6-5 with the win in the first of their four straight days of matches in the New York City metro area.

The first set with the Bloodhounds was tight until late.  With EMU holding a slight 17-16 edge, the men rattled off an 8-1 tear to win 25-17.  In the second, the Royals worked out an early lead and then held off a couple of John Jay runs to win 25-21.

Eastern Mennonite broke off an 11-11 tie in the third, hitting a 10-1 streak to close out on a 25-17 decision.

The men got all 14 of their healthy players into the lineup and hit a season best .219.  Only Micah Buller (Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman) played all three sets, splitting his time between libero and outside hitting duties.  Joe Spriggs (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) landed a team high six kills, while Scott Brigham (Montpelier, Va./Patrick Henry), Justin Spanka (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) and Marc Lovell (Newport News, Va./Menchville) each added five.

Zach Guiciardi (Creighton, Pa./Deer Lakes) had 24 set assists and two aces.  Russell Long (Hampton, Va./Bethel) played in just one set and had 10 assists.

Lovell tied for the match high with nine digs.  Dan Lutz (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) had four blocks, including one solo.

Jack Palleschi led John Jay with 11 kills, nine digs and four blocks.

The Royals play at Brooklyn College tomorrow evening with a 6:00pm start.